Muscling
This animal lacks desirable thickness and muscle expression compared with others in its class.
Light muscled
What term describes an animal with a lot of depth through its chest?
Deep chested
The animal's different body parts fit together proportionally, creating a pleasing overall appearance.
Balanced
This animal has feet that are large in proportion to its overall size.
Big footed
What is the name for explaining why you placed a class of animals in a particular order?
Oral reasons
Which part of the market animal would you evaluate to see how much muscle it carries through its rear?
Hindquarters
What do we call an animal that has considerable width across its hip area?
Big hipped
When looking at an animal from the side, what part of its body runs along its back from the shoulders toward the rump?
Topline
What is the name of the joint on the back leg that bends backwards?
Hock
Name one important trait you should evaluate when judging market animals.
Muscling, finish, balance, structural soundness
Carrying considerable muscle and width through the loin, rump, and hindquarters.
Thick ended
What term describes an animal with plenty of depth through its rib cage?
Big ribbed
What term describes an animal whose back stays fairly even from its shoulders to its rump?
Level topped
This animal's rear leg joint has very little bend, creating a rigid appearance when viewed from the side.
Straight in hock
You're giving oral reasons and say, "I placed the first steer over the second because he was just better." What is missing from your explanation?
Specific comparisons that explain why the first steer is better.
What term describes an animal with extra thickness through the forearm?
Bigger armed
This animal has considerable distance from the front of its rib cage to its hindquarters.
Long bodied
What term describes an animal with a smooth transition from the neck into the front portion of the body instead of looking bulky or abrupt?
Smooth shouldered
What term describes an animal whose rear leg has excessive curvature when viewed from the side?
Sickle hocked
In what ways are breeding animals and market animals evaluated differently?
Breeding: reproductive value, structural soundness, longevity
Market: muscling, market readiness, carcass value
When comparing two market animals, why might you prefer the one with more muscle?
It generally has greater potential for lean meat production.
What term describes an animal whose body appears fuller and less angular, often with less visible definition?
Soft bodied
The purpose of the class and the importance of each animal's strengths and weaknesses.
Why is structural soundness important in a breeding animal?
It helps the animal move properly, remain functional, and stay productive over time.
During a livestock judging contest, you notice an animal has a limp as it walks around the ring. What should you do before deciding where to place it?
Observe its movement carefully, consider how the limp affects its structural soundness and function, and evaluate that information along with the other animals in the class.