54 Live-stock judging 



67. Determination of the age of cattle. — The general 

 size, shape and growth of the cattle as well as the ap- 

 pearance of their horns is usually evidence enough to de- 

 termine their age. It is only in case of disputes, as over 

 the classification of show cattle, that the teeth are called 

 into requisition. 



The bovine teeth present some special features. In- 

 cisors are not firmly set in the jaw cavity as in the horse, 

 but are imbedded in cartilage in such a way as to permit 

 of considerable movement. This is necessary on account 

 of the fact that the teeth are not opposed by others in 

 the upper jaw, but rather by a peculiar development of 

 the gum to form a cushion against which the feed is 

 crushed by the teeth of the lower jaw. Furthermore, 

 the tissues of the jaw do not close down upon the 

 roots of the teeth crowding them forward as their tables 

 wear away, although this wear begins before the tooth is 

 fully developed. 



At birth. — The calf usually has four incisors at 

 birth; although he may have none, and the third pair 

 appears about the tenth day, the last or corner pair 

 anywhere from the seventh to the thirtieth day. 

 These teeth are not leveled, however, until the fifth 

 or sixth month. The pinchers are worn level at ten 

 months. 



One year. — The first intermediate pair of milk teeth 

 are leveled at one year, the second pair at fifteen months 

 and the corners at eighteen to twenty months, at which 

 time the permanent pinchers appear. 



Tivo years. — The first pair of permanent intermediates 

 is in at some time between two and one quarter years 

 and two years and nine months. 



Three years. — The second intermediate pair has taken 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



