BREEDING FOR BEEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19838, 7 January 1928, Page 14

BREEDING FOR BEEF.

A GOOD SPREAD OF. RIB. AN IMPORTANT FACTOR. It his been estimated that about 10 per cent, of the total weight of the beef carcase is rib, but this cut is responsible for 22.8 per cent, of its total value. This fact is pertinent in establishing the value of a good rib, but to the producer of breedi:-" beef cattle the proper development of rib has even greater significance. Every description of the form of the ideal beeftype animal includes such terms as "wide," " deep," " medium length," " rectangular in shape," " smooth," " straight lines," " well balanced," "symmetrical,*' etc. A good rib is an important factor in helping a particular animal to meet these qualifications.

A well-sprung rib makes for width, and a long rib for depth, the result of both being a roomy, capacious body so essential for the handling of large amounts of feed, contends a writer in the American Hereford Journal. Without the digestive capacity no animal can qualify as an efficient beef-making machine. The thirteen pairs of ribs in a beef animal should bo placed close together, the last pair being close to the hips. The animal, then, which has a good rib will not only bo wide and deep, but also of medium length, since the spacing of the ribs will determine, to some extent, at least, the animal's length. This close spacing is a material aid in bringing about the smoothness of fleshing desired in the finished product A good development of rib makes for a wide, deep chest', a large heart-girth, and full fore flanks, the kind of conformation which is essential for a rugged, strong constitution, the value of which should be appreciated by the livestock breeder. Width and depth of chest also contribute to the symmetry and balance of the animal, and a well-sprung, deep rib will prevent the depression just behind the shoulder or a tucked-up fore flank, which do stroys the straight top and bottom line, not to mention the equally important straight sideline desired. Aside from the utility values mentioned, the value of a beautiful front, which in the beef aaimal accompanies a smoothlylaid, well-fleshed shoulder and a strong arch of rib, which leaves little or no depression back of the shoulder, should not be overlooked as a factor in attracting the attention of breeders in both the show and sale rings. Such a conformation gives to the animal a style and gracefulness of carriage which has commercial value.