CONCERNING CATTLE 201 
rations in order that they may steadily increase in weight 
and growth. If the ration is insufficient at any time, 
meeting only the needs of the body or forcing the animal 
temporarily to fall back on its reserve forces, a check in 
growth will occur which can be overcome only through 
extra feeding. This kind of feeding, although common, 
is unprofitable in the end. During a period of insufficient 
feeding an animal must be supported and no returns are 
secured from the use of that food. It is advisable under 
most circumstances to feed liberally so as to get a steady 
increase in growth from birth until maturity. 
14, Live and dressed weight-—-When steers or other 
cattle are sold on the hoof, the purchase is made on the 
basis of live weight. Ti first 
slaughtered and then sold, 
it is as dressed carcasses, 
or by dressed weight. The 
percentage of dressed 
weight to live weight. va- 
ries with the breed, type 
and condition. Old cows 
of the strictly dairy breeds 
may dress as low as 40 per 
cent of their live weight, 
while prime steers of the 
best beef breeds often 
dress 68 to 70 per cent. 
15. Shrinkage.—In ship- 
ping cattle from farms to 
market there is always 
some loss in weight. This 
loss is known as shrinkage 
and varies with distance, 
time on the road, feed and 
PRIME HEIFER AND HER CARCASS 
