JUDGING BEEF TYPE OF CATTLE 



251 



affect their value for competition in tliese days wlien 

 smoothness of fleshing is so much emphasized. The wise 

 judge will discriminate against undue roughness of rump 

 covering. The tail head or attachment of tail to body, 

 should be on the general level line of back, and not too 

 prominent nor rough. If the rump itself is level, the tail 

 attachment will probably be satisfactory. Frequently a 

 nick or dent is seen 

 in the spine on the 

 rump, or where it 

 may unite with the 

 tail head. This 

 does not add to the 

 beauty of this part, 

 but in itself is no 

 serious defect, and 

 should have little 

 bearing on the de- 

 cision of a judge, 

 unless competition 

 is close. The thigh 

 of the beef animal 

 should be broad, 

 thick, deep and 

 full. From a side 

 view the breadth 



is noted, while from the rear we note its thickness, 

 its depth from top to bottom, and its general plump 

 and meaty character. The outline of the thigh along its 

 rear side should show quite a straight drop from the end 

 of the rump downward, thus giving evidence of continuous 

 breadth to the top of the lower thigh, which should be short 

 but strongly muscular. The distance from the hip to the 

 point where the thigh curves in to form the lower thigh 

 should be comparatively long. A long, broad, thick upper 

 thigh, in good condition, will yield a heavy weight of one 

 of the more valuable parts of the carcass. These several 



Fig. 140. — Note the difference In thickness 

 and depth of thighs in these two steers of equal 

 age. 



