THE TYPES 193 



reached this state he has not attained maximum produc- 

 tion. Condition or ripeness is indicated by a full purse, 

 flank and tongue root, these being the last places at which 

 fat accumulates in the ripening process. 



212. Feeder cattle. — The butcher deals with an 

 actuality, the feeder with a prospect, but in order to be 

 successful in his operations the feeder must keep the 

 butcher requirements constantly in view (Fig. 96) . The 

 feeder's profits depend, first of all, upon the production 

 of an acceptable butcher's beast, but secondarily upon the 

 economy with which this can be accomplished. There is 

 a vast difference in the relative efficiency of individual 

 steers so far as economy in production is concerned. Not 

 all show steers are popular with the packers, but even 

 some which are market toppers are money losers when 

 the cost of production is charged against even the premium 

 price which they bring. 



213. Feed lot production. — So far as becoming a bul- 

 lock acceptable to the butcher goes, the feeder steer is 

 the butcher steer minus condition, but in economic pro- 

 duction the feeder introduces a feature that is of no account 

 to the butcher, namely, constitution. Profit in the feed 

 lot requires that the cattle shall be good " doers," disposed 

 to consume a full ration, regularly, with no skips or misses 

 due to off -feed periods, and then capable of making full 

 return in gains for each pound of feed consumed (Fig. 97). 

 In addition, therefore, to being bred right feeders must 

 show evidence of thrift, vigor and growth, with early 

 maturity and capacity to fatten rapidly, yet evenly. Just 

 what the fattening process consists of, as well as what it 

 accomplishes, is also of vital concern to the judge of feeder 

 cattle. It should be understood that the gains in weight 

 shown by cattle on feed represent either an increase in the 



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