70 
BULLETIN 1464, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
The animal usually has a slightly thin but moderately smooth 
covering of fat which is moderately uniform in its distribution. 
There are slightly small deposits of fat in the brisket, flank, twist, 
and cod. 
The animal is usually slightly too coarse or too refined, but reflects 
reasonably good beef-type breeding and care. The bones of the legs 
are usually slightly too large or small. The joints of the legs may 
be slightly rough and coarse. The hide is slightly too thick or too 
thin, slightly unpliant, and the hair is moderately fine. The flesh is 
slightly soft as a rule. 
Steers of this grade are usually high-grade, crossbred, or purebred 
individuals of beef type, but some of them occasionally show traces 
of dairy-type breeding, which is indicated by their color markings. 
Load lots of this grade usually vary more or less as regards the 
Fig. 33. — Good grade stocker steer 
different breeds of beef -type cattle. The age limits for feeder steers 
and stocker steers of this grade are approximately the same as those 
for the choice and fancy grades. They are usually on sale through- 
out the year at the larger livestock markets, where they are offered 
most liberally during the late summer and fall months, with their 
season of scarcity most often occurring during the late winter and 
spring months. 
Medium or No. 3. — Medium or No. 3 grade feeder and stocker 
steers are slightly deficient in conformation, finish, and quality. 
The head is slightly long and narrow and the neck is also slightly 
long. They are slightly rangy, the body being slightly narrow and 
often slightly shallow in proportion to its length with legs which 
are set slightly too close together and are slightly long in proportion 
to depth of body. Top and under lines are slightly irregular and 
