MARKET CLASSES AND GRADES OF CATTLE 
71 
oblique as are the lines of the sides. The chest is slightly narrow 
and shallow and the animal has a slightly poor middle being slightly 
sunken or hollow in the crops with a slightly narrow back and 
loin; it has slightly short, flat ribs and a belly which is paunchy 
and a rear flank which is noticeably high. The hips are slightly 
narrow and the rump is slightly narrow and peaked, and the 
tail head is slightly high or drooped in comparison with the rest of 
the top line. The thigh is slightly narrow and tapering and the 
twist is slightly shallow with the seam of the twist appearing slightly 
high. All parts are thin in fleshing and the fleshing is usually 
slightly uneven. Because of the thinness of fleshing the bones of 
the shoulders, the hips, as well as the backbone and the ribs appear 
prominent to a marked degree. The different parts of the animal 
Fig. 34. — Medium grade feeder steer 
are so balanced that it is apparent that it will have a slightly low 
percentage of ribs, loins, and rounds in its carcass when it is finished 
and slaughtered. 
Individuals of this grade have a thin covering of fat over the 
shoulders, crops, back, loins, and rump. Only small quantities of fat 
are deposited in the brisket, flanks, twist, and cod and the hide at 
these points is somewhat wrinkled. The fat covering is not of suffi- 
cient thickness to cause any apparent roughness or lack of uniformity 
in its distribution. 
The animal is coarse and slightly lacking in refinement, usually 
evidencing rather poor beef -type breeding. The bones of the legs 
are much too large or too small. The hide is much too thick or too 
thin and tight, and unpliable. The hair is slightly coarse, dry, and 
harsh as a rule, and the flesh is soft in most instances. 
