FEEDING BEEF CATTLE 299 



second, the quality of the cattle; third, the relative cost of put- 

 ting cattle in prime condition compared with the cost of merely 

 "warming them up"; and fourth, a knowledge of the condition 

 of the market. 



The more prominent indications of a finished steer are fullness 

 at base of tongue, a roll of fat in front of the point of the 

 shoulder, a full thick flank that stands out as the animal walks, 

 a large mellow cod, a full twist, and fullness at the tail-head. 



When to market cattle. — As to where and when to buy feeders, 

 no definite statement can be made. The demand for extra prime 

 beef, such as is used by the high-grade hotels and restaurants, 

 is fairly good every month. There is an extra demand for 

 such beef during the Christmas season, beginning about Novem- 

 ber 20 when the Christmas order for export beef begins to come 

 and continuing to about the middle of December. There is 

 good demand for prime baby-beef the year round, with an 

 extra call during the Christmas season. Export cattle are in 

 greatest demand in the winter and spring months ; Canada 

 supplies the demand in the late summer and fall. Common 

 cattle are in greatest demand in the spring months, as after the 

 first of July they come into competition with the cheap western 

 range cattle. 



SHIPPING CATTLE 



There are some precautions that should be taken in getting 

 cattle ready for shipment. The object sought is to ship the cat- 

 tle with as little "drift" or loss in weight as possible.' While 

 there are those who manage the cattle in such a way as to induce 

 them to drink an unusual amount of water when they reach the 

 market, thus securing an abnormal fill, such practice is far from 

 commendable. Cattle buyers are always on the lookout for such 

 cattle and discriminate heavily against them. On the other 

 hand, it is perfectly legitimate for the cattle feeder to take such 

 precautions as will insure his animals against the likehhood of 

 scouring and to prevent abnormal shrinking in weight. 



