What should I Feed my cattle?
Cattle weighing 700 pounds or more should be fed a ration containing 11 percent crude protein in a ration composed of grain (usually corn, but barley and wheat are often also used), protein sources, and roughage.
How long to grain feed before slaughter?
Grain fed till the end is the only way to go. We just put up 4 Holstein steers today to grain feed for 30 days prior to slaughter. We give the 4 of 'em a 5-gallon bucket of grain once or twice a day (depending on whether DH is feeding or FIL is feeding). My in-laws swear by grain feeding to improve marbling in the meat.
How much grain for Holstein Steers before slaughter?
We just put up 4 Holstein steers today to grain feed for 30 days prior to slaughter. We give the 4 of 'em a 5-gallon bucket of grain once or twice a day (depending on whether DH is feeding or FIL is feeding). My in-laws swear by grain feeding to improve marbling in the meat.
Can you feed beef to cows?
Beef cattle feeding is possible on small and part-time farms, but the cost of feeding drops significantly as the size of the operation increases. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations.
How long do you feed a cow before slaughter?
The Food and Drug Administration requires cattle to be implanted 100 days before slaughter and removal of hormone feeds from the ration 48 hours prior to slaughter.
How much do you feed a steer for slaughter?
The steer will consume roughly 15-20 pounds of hay per day or 2 percent of his body weight. Grain is added to the diet three months before taking the steer to the processor. The amount of time on feed can vary from 60-150 days. For a backyard steer, 90 days on grain should be sufficient.
What is the best thing to feed beef cattle?
Best Healthy Feed for Beef Cattle1) Grain Supplement. Grain can get cattle growing quickly and can help cattle get fat. ... 2) Hay. Hay can provide every important nutrient for cattle, but it has to be picked at the height of its nutrient richness À” that is, before it becomes too dry. ... 3) Pasture and Forage. ... 4) Concentrates.
What is the best feed to finish a steer?
per day of corn, oats or barley fed to grazing cattle is a good finishing ration. This fed to a 900-1000 pound steer for 3-4 months should will you a nicely finished animal. If you do not have access to pasture or if you are finishing during the winter, you might increase the amount of grain to 15-18 lbs. per day.
Is cracked corn or whole corn better for cattle?
Processing Corn Even though corn can be fed whole with satisfactory results, cracking or rolling prior to feeding will increase digestibility by 5 to 10 percent. In most instances, grinding or rolling corn will not markedly improve average daily gain, but proper processing will improve feed conversion efficiency.
What is the best grain to feed a steer?
Corn, oats, and barley are the primary grains fed to cattle. Oats, which has a lower energy value due to its high fiber content, is considered the "safest" grain in regards to potential digestive disturbances.
What is the cheapest cattle feed?
“Corn residue is one of the lowest cost forages on a cost per pound of energy. That's why mixing a high energy and protein feed like distillers' grains with a low quality forage like corn stalks is so cost effective.
How much grain should I feed my beef cow per day?
Cows will voluntarily consume about 2 percent of their body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100 percent dry matter.
What tastes better grass or corn fed beef?
Grass-fed steaks also have a much more mineral-heavy taste that is often described as “meatier” or “gamier,” which is also a common description of grass-fed texture. While there are outliers, the majority of Americans seem to prefer the sweeter, richer taste that comes with corn-fed beef.
How do you fatten up a beef cow quickly?
0:010:40What to Feed Cattle to Fatten Them Up - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe fitters edge that's. That's a universal feed. I can feed a steer that and tweak it to get in fatMoreThe fitters edge that's. That's a universal feed. I can feed a steer that and tweak it to get in fat. Or. I can I can add a little fiber to it like non-medicated pre-con to a heifer.
How do you prepare a cow for slaughter?
Keep the animal off feed 24 hours before slaughter, but provide free access to water. Don't run or excite the animal prior to slaughter because this may cause poor bleeding and give the carcass a bloody appearance. The weather, especially expected temperatures the few days following slaughter, is extremely important.
Do beef cows Need grain?
Cattle weighing 700 pounds or more should be fed a ration containing 11 percent crude protein in a ration composed of grain (usually corn, but barley and wheat are often also used), protein sources, and roughage.
Feeding Beef Cattle
Between 24 and 27 billion pounds of beef are produced in the United States annually. Though domestic consumption has been decreasing, foreign demand remains high. Typically farmers raise weaned calves to a slaughter weight of 1,000 to 1,400 pounds. The cost of feeding beef cattle drops as the number of animals increases in operation.
Nutritional Needs of Feed
Cattle that weighs 700 pounds or more should be given a ration that contains 11% protein in a mix composed of grain. More extensive framed beef cattle will require a higher grain ratio to achieve the same quality as smaller framed cattle. Thus ration can depend upon the type of livestock raised and the market grade.
Facilities
Material for facilities includes fencing, boards, wire panels, and steel cables. Housing does not have to be expensive. Both open-sided sheds and enclosed structures are appropriate. It is essential because it is designed for the number of cattle and has a good manure management program.
Purchasing Beef Cattle
Graded feeder calf sales typically happen in the Spring and Fall. Farmers can use cattle brokers or auctions to obtain feeding beef cattle. Prices can fluctuate significantly, but higher-grade feeder cattle sell at a greater rate than lower grades. Cattle in better shape are generally given a higher grade, regardless of weight in pounds.
Environmental Implications
Farmers have much to consider in regards to their operation and how it may impact the environment. They handle pesticides, have manure to handle, and use equipment to manage their stock. All of these can influence soil, water, or air.
Insurance
All facilities and equipment must be insured when raising and feeding beef cattle. Obtaining insurance can best be accomplished by connecting with a local insurance agent or broker. Property, liability, and vehicle insurance coverage should all be in place. A good option is to obtain multi-peril crop insurance.
Budget Considerations
It is essential to consider all costs and budget so you may have a successful operation. Allocating price to nutritional feed with the correct protein to grain ratio will ensure you are feeding beef cattle adequately to make them competitive.
How long do cattle stay in feedlots?
Depending on how heavy the cattle are when they start their finishing ration, the larger cattle (~900 lbs) are only in the feedlot for 15 to 30 days, whereas the smaller cattle (weanlings ~750 lbs) are in for the average 100 days. Both wt. sizes are fed the same high grain, low forage diet. Save. Share.
How long does it take for cattle to fatten up?
Typically finishing cattle are put on a ration of 85% grain and 15% roughage to fatten them up in 90 to 120 days. Ground up corn, more common in your area, is fed along with silage to have the cattle put on weight quickly.
How long to feed hay to get finish?
To get the finish you want you'll have to get them up 2 to 3% of their body weight daily in grain for 90 to 120 days.
How to prevent digestive disorders in cattle?
Rule of Thumb: Most digestive disorders can be prevented by slowly adapting cattle to any changes that are being made in the diet and managing daily feed delivery effectively. to any one product ( AFS-3260, A Planning Calendar for Beef Cattle Herd Health).
How much energy does a cattle consume?
As growth continues, nutrient requirements increase along with feed intake. On average, finishing cattle will consume 2% to 3% (dry matter basis) of their body weight in feed.
What are the three types of beef producers?
The beef industry has basically three type of producers; cow-calf, stocker/growers and feedlots. Many cow-calf producers sell their calves at weaning, which moves those calves on down the line to the stocker/growers and then to the feedlot before slaughter. With time, there has been an increasing interest from cow-calf producers ...
How much weight should a 715 pound steer gain?
As an example, let’s start with a 715-pound steer that will finish at a target weight of 1,300 pounds in approximately six months. This will require the calf to gain 3.25 pounds per day, with 180 days to hit the target finish weight.
What happens to fat as it gets closer to slaughter weight?
As it gets closer to slaughter weight, fat becomes a larger part of the body weight gain and muscle becomes less of the weight gained. Energy is expressed in the Net Energy system by feedlot nutritionist and is broken down into requirements for Net Energy for Maintenance (NEm) and Net Energy for Gain (NEg).
What is the recommended ratio of calcium and phosphorus?
A suggested mineral would be one that contains a calcium/phosphorus ratio of 2:1 as well as supplies a balance of other macro and micro minerals. A well-balanced mineral package in the diet will ensure to maximize the animal’s health and growth.
What are the areas that must be addressed in beef finishing?
Every producer has different circumstances influencing the strategy of finishing beef, but the areas that absolutely must be addressed are the animal’s health, supplied nutrition and available technologies to improve efficiency.
How to feed a calves?
Mimicking feedlot diets may not be practical when finishing calves on-farm; however, similar steps used in the commercial feeding industry should be adopted including: 1 Calves should be transitioned from a roughage diet to the final high concentrate diet over a three-week period. This is called a step-up program. 2 Feed calves at least twice per day when the final diet does not contain built in roughage or is not formulated to be self-fed or self-limiting. 3 Include 10% to 15% roughage in the final diet for increased rumen health and reduced acidosis. 4 Feed calves a balanced diet (protein, minerals, mineral ratios and vitamins). 5 Adjust feed amount as calves grow.
Why should beef feed be stored in a dry location?
Feeds should be stored in a dry location to reduce the chances of molding. Feed storage facilities need to be kept clean to keep pests (rodents and insects) at a minimum.
What is forage finishing?
Forage finishing capitalizes on the beef animal’s ability to convert forage into muscle protein through the aid of microbial breakdown of forage celluloses in the rumen. Since cattle are naturally grazing animals, some consumers seek out beef from cattle reared in their “natural environment”.
What is hybrid beef?
These systems utilize the roughage supplied by pasture along with additional energy from supplemental concentrates. They may not meet the requirements to meet ‘grass-fed beef’ claims by the USDA, but do provide free-choice access to pasture.
What is finishing calves?
Finishing (forage- or grainfinishing) and marketing goals (personal use or sale) will determine the land and facilities needed. Whether finishing calves on pasture or in dry lot confinement, calves will be more comfortable if they have access to shade during summer and a wind break during winter.
What is the flavor of ground beef?
In general, the typical beef consumer of the U.S. prefers the flavor of grain-fed beef. By comparison, ground beef from cattle finished on forage has been characterized as having a ‘grassy’ flavor. Grass-fed ground beef also can have a cooking odor that differs from grain-fed beef.
Why is it important to raise your own beef?
Advantages to raising your own beef include having control over calf quality and choice of how the calf is finished out. Calves can be finished on grass, grain and grass, or high concentrate diets. There are disadvantages to consider when fattening your own beef.
How Old Are Cows When They Are Slaughtered?
Different types of cow are slaughtered at different ages. As a baseline, regular beef cattle which are raised from calf for beef are slaughtered at around 32 to 42 months of age according to the USDA.
How Long Until A Cow Is Fully Grown?
Cows typically achieve their maximum body weight at around two years old, however their body composition continues to change after this, so beef cattle are raised until about 32-42 months old to achieve a nice fat/muscle structure (marbling) on the beef.
Best Age To Slaughter A Cow
The optimal age to slaughter a cow really depends on the goal of the farmer. Maximizing profits from a cow might mean slaughtering it early, but maximizing the quality of the meat might mean feeding it for an extra year to build more muscle.
Can You Slaughter A Cow At Any Age?
Yes, you can slaughter a cow at any age, however there is an optimal age for meat quality.
How Long For A Cow To Become An Adult?
In a research paper from the American Journal of Animal Sciences, it was found that the average age at which a cow reaches puberty is 357 days, although they don’t reach their full body weight until around two years old.
Conclusion
To sum up, cows get slaughtered at various different ages depending on what type of cow they are, and why they are getting slaughtered.
Starting A Beef Feeding Enterprise
- Thorough planning and preparation are essential for you to have a successful beef-feeding operation. Operators should determine where they will obtain feeder calves, which feeds will be required to finish the cattle to desired market weights and grades, and what type of shelter will b…
Facilities
- Various materials can be used for feedlot fences, including boards, wire panels, high-tensile wire, and steel cables. Barbed wire is not recommended. A seven- or nine-wire high-tensile fence is one of the most economical barriers. Another effective fence is a combination of high-tensile wire (which can be electrified) with three or four 2-by- 6-inch planks spaced between the wires. Housi…
Grazing and Backgrounding
- Some cattle feeders purchase lightweight feeder calves (350 to 550 pounds), graze them during the spring and summer, and then finish them in the feedlot starting in late summer or fall. Backgrounding is a special type of program that usually combines pasture systems and lightweight cattle. These cattle require extremely good nutrition, management, and health progra…
Purchasing Feeder Cattle
- Anyone purchasing feeder cattle must keep up-to-date on market conditions. Graded feeder-calf sales are held in both fall and spring; some feedlot operators use cattle brokers and tele-auctions to obtain their feeder cattle. Feeder-cattle prices can fluctuate considerably in almost every season of the year. Higher-grade feeder cattle sell for a higher price per pound than lower grade…
Health Maintenance Program
- Because preconditioned and heavier feeder cattle tend to have fewer health problems, purchasing preconditioned calves can be a good investment for the cattle feeder. Preconditioning includes weaning 21 to 45 days before shipping, vaccinating for diseases prevalent in the area, dehorning, castrating, implanting, treating for external and internal parasites, and starting the cattle on grai…
Environmental Impacts
- In the normal course of operations, farmers handle pesticides and other chemicals, may have manure to collect and spread, and use equipment to prepare fields and harvest crops. Any of these routine on-farm activities can be a potential source of surface water or groundwater pollution. Because of this possibility, you must understand the regulations to follow concerning t…
Risk Management
- You should carefully consider how to manage risk on your farm. First, you should insure your facilities and equipment. This may be accomplished by consulting your insurance agent or broker. It is especially important to have adequate levels of property, vehicle, and liability insurance. You will also need workers' compensation insurance if you have any employees. You may also want t…
Sample Budgets
- Included in this publication are three sample budgets summarizing costs and returns for feeding beef cattle. The first is for feeding steers; the second is for feeding heifers; and the third is for feeding yearlings. These budgets should help ensure that you include all costs and receipts in your calculations. Costs and returns are often difficult to estimate in budget preparation becaus…
For More Information
- Becker, J. C., L. F. Kime, J. K. Harper, and R. Pifer. Understanding Agricultural Liability. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2011.
- Comerford, J. W., L. F. Kime, and J. K. Harper. Beef Backgrounding Production. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2013.
- Comerford, J. W., L. F. Kime, K. E. Knoll, and J. K. Harper. Dairy-Beef Production. University Pa…
- Becker, J. C., L. F. Kime, J. K. Harper, and R. Pifer. Understanding Agricultural Liability. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2011.
- Comerford, J. W., L. F. Kime, and J. K. Harper. Beef Backgrounding Production. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2013.
- Comerford, J. W., L. F. Kime, K. E. Knoll, and J. K. Harper. Dairy-Beef Production. University Park: Penn State Extension, 2008.
- Greaser, G. L., and J. K. Harper. Enterprise Budget Analysis. University Park: Penn State Extension, 1994.
