UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Washington, D. C. ¥ June, 1926 
MARKET CLASSES AND GRADES OF LIVESTOCK 
By C. E. Grssons’*, Business Specialist, Marketing Livestock, Meats, and Wool, 
Bureau of Agricultural Economics 
CONTENTS 
Page Page 
Need for standardization on livestock Cai Sees etre es ee ns ee a 20 
markets 2 1a Caltescheduillej22 222) 2 22 2a Ses 20 
Definition of classifying and ‘grading _ 3 Subdivisions of calf sechedule__ 21 
Purpose of classifying and grading __ SEA [NUECES CS GRR a a ae a te ae 23 
Standard classes and eradesex =2822 4 ie Vealer Schedule 222. 2. sae eee 24 
Definition of terms______-_-_____~ 4 Subdivisions of vealer schedule_ 24 
Conformation =02 5 Ss Sys [aS Wali @ jes ene eae cr, Ieee aR pe ea 24 
DEPT ATSUSHI sea ee oes De Eioguschedule, == eee eee 25 
Quality_ SES 5 Classes of hogs___________ is 26 
Market groups Onblivestock= 6 Subclasses of hogs___ ea 26 
BaSsismort classes= 22225 ae 6 Use selections of hogs ______ Ses 30 
Basis of subclasses_______________ 7 Weight selections of hogses2es2 31 
Basis of use selectionS___________~_ 8 Grades of hogss 222) S226 aes oD 
Basis of age selections ___________ SF DT pre a ae icy SA tt 32 
Basis of weight selections______~-- 8 | Pig schedule_____ 33 
Basisvot grades__—-_-- 222 = 9 Subdivisions of pig schedule___ 33 
Deseription of the schedule ______~— Cet AST ep an a ae eee eich 35 
AOrcli tate Meee ater oS ae No lara BAS 10 | Sheep schedule____ eu ie 35 
Cattle schedule___________ pags 11 Classes of sheep______________ 38 
Classes of cattle __ a = BU eh ed eg SS cess St Nee Po poe eee Sle 42 
Subclasses of cattle____-______ 14 | Lamb schedule —____~_ 43 
Age selections of cattle_______~ 16 Subdivisions of lamb schedule_ 3 
Weight selections of cattle___- 16 Weight selections of lambs____ 46 
Grades of cattle________--___- 19 Grades of lambs______________ 46 
NEED FOR STANDARDIZATION ON LIVESTOCK MARKETS 
Ever since the establishment of central livestock markets there 
has been considerable confusion, much disappointment, and untold 
loss and waste, because of the difficulty in describing market trans- 
actions in such a way that the producer on the farm or out on the 
range, the slaughterer at some distant packing center, the trader on 
another market, and the student in his classroom, all would under- 
stand exactly what transpired on the market. Practically every 
livestock market has its own standards, its individual preferences, 
and its own methods of doing business. All these matters are 
thoroughly understood by those who are on the market daily, but 
1The schedule appearing in this bulletin is not the work of any individual but is the 
result of the best thought of the entire Marketing Livestock, Meats, and Wool Division, 
combined with many helpful criticisms received from specialists outside the Government 
service and members of the livestock trade. 
02815°—26 a 
