SUGGESTIONS ON SELECTION 



87 



in the live animal they would be of greater practical value. 

 Even under the conditions of the test, however, information 

 of this character is of great value to stock breeders. It 

 represents the ultimate attainment of animals and can 

 therefore be applied indirectly in producing other animals 

 of like qualifications. 



Breeders' Fads. — All breeders of live stock have certain 

 utility requirements which should be bred and retained, 

 regardless of predominating fads and changing conditions. 

 This should be done notwithstanding that some breeders 

 demand useless or fancy points. Breeders of live stock 



Fig. 15. — Loins, showing marbling and finish. The rib and loin outs 

 figure prominently in value in the block test. (Photograph by author.) 



as a class are not responsible for the development of useless 

 qualities. Absurd type standards have been maintained, 

 however, in some breeds largely to the detriment or develop- 

 ment of useful or utility points. The experienced live stock 

 judge will usually rate these points on their merit. In a 

 close decision, all other conditions being equal, the animal 

 possessing the fancy points would receive first consideration. 

 If there was a decided difference in favor of the utility 

 points, the animal possessing the greatest merit from this 

 viewpoint should be given a first rating. 



In judging live stock, either for breeding or direct market 

 purposes, the essential factors considered should be the adapt- 

 ability of the animals to their ultimate use. Breeders' 



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