122 BEEF PRODUCTION 



although these dates may vary a little one way or the 

 other, depending upon the days the export boats sail 

 for foreign ports. Ordinarily, exporters take from one- 

 fourth to one-third of the total supply of Christmas 

 cattle for both dead and live export. The larger pro- 

 portion of holiday beef is exported alive, and for this 

 purpose cattle possessing fancy quality and thick fat, 

 weighing from 1300 to 1500 pounds are wanted. From 

 1300 to 1400 pounds is a popular weight, although they 

 use some prime 1100 to 1200-lb. cattle for that trade 

 and a few weighing as much as 1600 pounds. For 

 the New York and Eastern holiday trade, the first ten 

 days of December, particularly from the 5th to the 8th, 

 is considered a good time to market. For the Chicago 

 city trade and nearby cities and towns, from Decem- 

 ber 10 to 15; New York, Boston, and some other 

 Eastern cities use more heavy or good weight cattle 

 than the Western cities. They also use a good propor- 

 tion of yearlings, and light weights, and the light 

 and medium weight prime cattle seem to be getting 

 more popular each year." 



DEMAND FOR BABY BEEF 



Outside of the Christmas market, during which there 

 is the demand for baby beeves indicated, there is not 

 much preference as to the most favorable season for 

 marketing such cattle. There is a good demand the 

 year around and prices depend upon the supply from 

 month to month. If there is any preference it would be 

 during the hot weather months. From 800 to 1000 

 pounds is a popular weight for yearlings and 1100 to 

 1300 pounds for two-year-olds. Some buyers prefer a 

 weight of from 1000 to 1100 pounds, and then again 

 there is a good demand for 600 to 800-lb. steers and 

 heifers. There are not as many two-year-olds as 

 yearlings used. There is no discrimination against 600 

 to 700-lb. baby beeves, if prime. It cannot be too 

 strongly emphasized, however, that baby beef to sell high 



