230 JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



out weights on a fairly satisfactory basis. The weight of 

 heef cattle fitted for the butcher will naturally depend on 

 age and duration of feeding. Breed also has an influence 

 here, for the larger beef breeds, like the Shorthorn, attain 

 a given weight somewhat earlier than do smaller breeds. 

 If well nourished from birth, weights of 850 pounds at 12 

 months, 1,250 pounds at 24 months, or 1,500 pounds at 30 

 months, might be regarded as standards. A large per cent- 

 age of the animals on the market, however, do not attain 

 these weights, being under, rather than over size. Judges 

 generally discriminate against under-weight animals, and 

 give special attention to this subject. All fat cattle exhib- 

 ited at the International Live Stock Exposition are weighed 

 the day prior to showing and these weights, and also the 

 ages, are clearly indicated on large cards on the men 

 holding the animals in the ring. Each experienced exhib- 

 itor desires to bring forward sufficient weight for age to 

 satisfy the judge. Other things being equal, a steer weigh- 

 ing 1,000 pounds that should weigh 1,250, might well be 

 scored oif 50 per cent on this feature. The fact is, the 250 

 pounds shortage in weight expresses a more serious lack 

 here than the score card indicates, because it represents an 

 unnecessary cost in production. 



The general form of the beef animal, as viewed from in 

 front, side or rear, should be blocky or square in outline. 

 Some of the old writers on beef cattle form, dating back 

 over a century, have compared the body with the rectangle, 

 as viewed from one side, or with the square, as seen from in 

 front or the rear. Such comparison naturally applies only 

 to the body proper, leaving head, neck and legs out of 

 consideration. The modern standard of form is essen- 

 tially the same, though more emphasis perhaps is placed 

 on compactness. As one surveys the animal from a dis- 

 tance, he is impressed with the thickness of form all through, 

 and a depth of body much in excess of length of leg, the 

 entire frame being covered with a thick, firm, smooth cov- 

 ering of flesh. Long neck and legs cannot be part of 



