226 JUDGING BEEF AND DUAL PURPOSE CATTLE 



study of the skeleton and the outhne drawing will indicate 

 quite vividly the relation of these parts. The head of the 

 beef animal is formed largely by the bony development of 

 this region. The variation from the form as examined on 

 the exterior is very slight from what would be found on 

 an examination of the bony framework beneath. The neck 

 is just the reverse, being formed largely by thp muscles con- 

 stituting this part of the animal. Meat obtained from this 

 region, however, has a comparatively low market value. 



The shoulders are also formed in a large measure by the 

 muscles composing this part. Although meat from this 

 region has a comparatively low value, it is important that 

 the shoulders be smooth and compact. Rough, open, thinly 

 covered shoulders are not only indicative of relatively 

 low muscle formation, but they are otherwise indicative 

 of coarse quality and a low dressing percentage. The body 

 proper is outlined largely by the rib development. This is 

 especially true in that part which is taken off with the fore- 

 quarter in carcass beef, this including all except the last rib, 

 which is usually left on the hindquarter. The hindquarters 

 of the beef animal contain a relatively large proportion of 

 the high-priced cuts because there is a relatively large pro- 

 portion of muscle to bone and the quality of the product is 

 superior to that in any other region. The region of the loin, 

 prime ribs, and thighs or round are especially valuable from 

 the market standpoint because of these factors. A clear 

 knowledge of this condition is, therefore, necessary to have 

 a broad understanding of the value of the carcass cuts and 

 the qualities or characteristics which indicate them in the 

 live animal. 



Conformation. — The desired conformation of the beef 

 animal should be self-evident after the former consideration 

 of the main attributes which give value to the correlated 

 parts of the structure. The body should be long, wide, 

 deep, and low set. The back should be broad, thus desig- 

 nating the shape and turn of the ribs, which should be square, 

 and extend low to give depth of body. The coupling should 

 be short, the loin broad and deep, and the flank low. There 

 should be in all the close, compact condition which is 



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