68 BULLETIN 1464, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
together with a low rear flank. The hips are wide; the rump is 
wide, deep, and even and the tailhead is even with the back line. 
The thigh is wide and deep and the twist is deep, with the seam of 
the twist appearing low. All parts are moderately thick in fleshing, 
with the fleshing very even, each part having very nearly its proper 
proportionate thickness. The thickness of the fleshing of the animal 
is such that its lines appear moderately plump, full, and rounded out. 
The different parts are balanced and developed in a manner which 
insures that the animal when finished and slaughtered will produce 
a high percentage of ribs, loins, and rounds. 
Individuals of this grade have a moderately thick covering of 
fat which is very smooth and uniform in its distribution. There 
are moderately large deposits of fat in the brisket, flank, twist, 
and cod which cause these parts to be moderately distended or 
rounded out. 
Fig. 31. — Choice grade stocker steer 
The animal has a moderate degree of refinement, the head being 
clean-cut and chiseled in appearance. The bones of the legs are 
of medium size, with the joints smooth and free from coarseness. 
The hide is pliable and of medium thickness and the hair is fine. 
The eyes are light and bright, with a placid expression, indicating 
that the animal has a quiet disposition and will be a good feeder in 
the feed lot. 
Steers of this grade are almost invariably high-grade, crossbred, 
or purebred individuals of beef type. Load lots of this grade are 
often mixed as regards the different breeds of beef-type cattle and 
may vary considerably in color and vary somewhat in age and 
weight. Stocker steers of this grade usually range from around 6 
up to 18 months in age, whereas feeder steers of the same grade 
range from around 18 up to 30 months old in most instances. They 
