Final answer:
The author uses imagery to emphasize the cattle's hunger and anxiety for food, showing their urgent and competitive behavior. The correct answer is option 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most likely reason the author uses imagery in this sentence is to emphasize that the cattle are hungry and anxious for food. The phrase 'stealing mouthfuls of hay' indicates a sense of urgency and competition among the cattle for the food, which points to the emphasis on their hunger. Additionally, the words 'shoving' and 'bawling' convey the animals' anxiety and desperation. This imagery helps the reader to visualize and feel the intense atmosphere among the cattle.