MARKET CLASSES AXD GRADES OF LIVESTOCK O 
these characteristics are limited only by very wide extremes and are 
reflected in corresponding variations in market price-. 
The immediate purpose of classifying and grading livestock for 
market is to select and group the animals so that they will present the 
greatest possible uniformity within the group and so that each animal 
in any group will make a near approach to a standard which has 
been established for that group. The ultimate objectives are to make 
possible a reasonably accurate determination of values and an in- 
telligible description, or reporting of market transactions. Ob- 
viously the most satisfactory results are obtained when the same stan- 
dards are used uniformly throughout the country. 
More specifically, the purposes of classifying and grading live- 
stock are: (1) To provide a means of selling animals according to 
their values; (2) to enable the purchaser to buy the class and grade 
desired without being required to accept animals he does not want; 
(3) to provide a basis for more accurate and useful market reports 
regarding current market receipts and prices; (4) to provide a guide 
for producers in their breeding and feeding operations; (5) to enable 
producers, buyers, and traders to make more reliable comparisons of 
prices at different markets; (6) to facilitate the purchase of livestock 
for slaughter or feeding purposes without a personal inspection of 
the animals, and (7) to provide a basis for compiling important 
statistical data used in analytical studies of supplies, demands, prices, 
and movements of livestock. 
STANDARDS FOR CLASSES AND GRADES OF MARKET 
LIVESTOCK 
Standards for the classes and grades of market livestock may be 
defined as carefully drawn specifications established by authority as a 
criterion for the measurement, comparison, or judgment of the values 
of market livestock on the basis of definite degrees of their inherent 
characteristics that affect the market values of the animals. 
Rases for Standards for Livestock 
The bases for such standards for each kind of livestock must take 
into consideration the purposes for wdiich the animals are to be used, 
their classes, ages, weights, and grades, because each of these exerts 
an important influence on the market values of livestock. Rreed, 
type, and the care that the animals received are also significant when 
classifying and grading livestock, but they are taken fully into con- 
sideration when each of the basic factors mentioned has been care- 
fully considered and evaluated. 
CLASSIFICATION FOR PURPOSE OR USE 
The various kinds of livestock are broadly classified according to 
the purpose for which they are to be used or for which they are best 
suited. The terms indicating purpose are: "Slaughter," "Feeder.*" 
"Stocker," "Milker," "Springer," "Breeder," and "Shearer." The 
United States standards thus far prepared are for Slaughter, Feeder, 
and Stocker animals only. 
