162 BEEF PRODUCTION 



ity. There is a wide difference in individuality between 

 different animals of the same breed. The matter of 

 selection of individuals within a breed may thus become 

 a more important matter than the selection of a breed. 

 Select as far as possible females which conform to the 

 standard of excellence of the breed. If this is accom- 

 plished it will insure a uniformity in type that is highly 

 desirable. If in addition to this it is possible to select 

 cows and heifers that are similarly bred, they will be 

 more likely to produce uniformity in their offspring and 

 a uniform lot of stockers, feeders, or fat cattle sell for 

 more than an uneven lot. 



There are a few general considerations in selecting 

 beef cows which should be mentioned, such as form, 

 quality, and constitution. The main characteristics 

 to be sought in form are shortness of leg, breadth, 

 and a general smoothness, good top and underlines, full 

 flanks, and straight legs. The bone, head, and hair 

 should indicate quality as opposed to coarseness on the 

 one hand or delicacy on the other. A good constitution 

 is evidenced by a broad, deep chest, a good heart girth, 

 and a lively condition of the coat of hair. 



SELECTION AND USE OF BULLS 



There is perhaps no other important factor connected 

 with beef production that is as often disregarded as that 

 of the selection of bulls to head the herds of grade 

 cows from which are produced the feeding cattle of the 

 country. The importance of this item can not be gener- 

 ally recognized, for, if it were, there would be a strong 

 demand at good prices for every good pure-bred bull of 

 the beef breeds that is offered for sale. As it is, there 

 are many good bulls that breeders are obliged to sell at 

 prices which render the breeding of pedigreed beef cattle 

 by no means the most remunerative of enterprises. It 

 is still true that "the bull is half the herd," and he may 

 be more than half the herd if he is a choice individual 

 backed up by good ancestry. A brief discussion of the 



