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.
What do you feed your cattle on grain?
Beeman one thing that hasn't been mentioned is the cattle will need access to roughage while on grain. Straw or some kind of long hay such as sorghum, or lower quality grass unless your feeding a TMR ( totally mixed ration) which will already have a roughage product mixed in.
What should I Feed my steer to finish it off?
If you are going to feed your steer some higher energy feeds, he will finish faster. Most people feeding steers are using some grain, if not primarily grain, to finish their beef. I’m not recommending grain, merely stating that most beef producers are feeding it.
How much grain do you feed your steers?
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).
How long should you grain 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.
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.
What feed makes beef taste best?
In terms of flavor profiles, corn is the most popular grain used by beef farmers. Grain fed cattle tends to be more fatty and this is what produces marbling and that beefy flavor.
What food is irresistible to cows?
Candy, wrapper and all: Ranchers report feeding their beef steers and dairy cows a variety of bulk candy, including gummy worms, marshmallows, hard candy, sprinkles, chocolate, candy corn, and hot chocolate mix. Candy provides sugar that cows would usually get from corn, giving them more energy and making them fatter.
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 for cattle?
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.
At what age should you butcher a steer?
Age at slaughter “typically” can be from 12 to 22 months of age for the high quality grade market. The reason for the range in age is that some calves are weaned and go directly to a feeding facility and are finished for slaughter.
What's wrong with corn fed beef?
When cows are fed a corn-based diet, their normal digestive system stops working properly, and they become more vulnerable to getting sick. Their rumens become acidified (acidosis) creating acid-producing bacteria that take over, affecting their immune system.
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 can I make cattle feed for cheap?
“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.
What vegetables do cows like?
Yes, cows are not that picky when it comes to treats but there are few fruits and vegetables that are believed to be cows' favorite. The fruits and vegetables cows love receiving as a treat are apples, turnips, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, and Carrots for sure.
Is bread good for cows?
For beef producers looking for new ways to economically and efficiently feed their cattle, Cornell University animal researchers have shown the effectiveness of an unusual diet: Let them eat bread -- and other commercial bakery leftovers and scraps.
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 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 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 should you withhold feed before slaughter?
Consider withholding feed for 24 hours prior to slaughter. It's not mandatory, but it's easier to clean or gut an animal when there is no food in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract than if there was. If you feel bad about leaving your cattle hungry before slaughter, then that's fine.
When should you slaughter a steer?
For example, if the steer you are raising on grass was born in April and you are wanting to slaughter him when he's around 18 months of age, then you should slaughter in October of the following year.
How long to wait to slaughter a steer?
However, if the steer was born in February and you want to slaughter at the same age (18 months), then you may have to consider waiting a couple of months more (into October or November instead of in August of the following) to slaughter it. Consider withholding feed for 24 hours prior to slaughter.
What is a captive bolt gun?
The captive bolt gun (also named cap-bolt, cap-bolt gun, cap-bolt stunner or captive bolt stunner) is the primary tool that is used to stun and kill cattle in a commercial slaughter plant. This device uses a steel rod that is driven instantly into the forehead of the animal.
How many cattle are in a holding pens?
1. Cattle are herded off the cattle liners and herded through a race or chute to be weighed then put into holding pens. These pens, usually holding around 20 to 50 cattle in each, are such that they separate the various grades and even coat color of cattle that have to go through the slaughter facility.
Why is it important to keep cattle calm?
It's important that cattle are herded and kept in a calm state to not affect the quality of the meat. Cattle that are in a state of anxiety or panic will have darker-colored meat (called "dark-cutters"), than cattle that are calm and relatively relaxed.
When to slaughter cattle in Australia?
Try to avoid slaughtering and butchering cattle, or any other animals, during fly season, which is typically between May and October in most countries except Australia.
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.
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.
What is confinement feeding?
Confinement feeding in early America also was a mechanism to concentrate manure for fertilizer. Unlike forage-finishing, grain-finishing requires less land. Depending on soil type and topography, as little as 150 square feet per calf of pen space with a feed and water trough is sufficient.
What to do if your steer is not finished?
If you are a month away from the appointment and your steer is not finished, you don’t have the time to fix much now. Call the butcher and see if you can reschedule. If you can’t reschedule, you can still butcher this steer. You’ll just be short on marbling, which means short on juiciness and tenderness of the meat.
When is a steer ready to butcher?
Steers on full feed (all they can eat grain with hay) will be butcher ready at 14-18 months of age.
What does the fat roll on a steer mean?
The fat rolls at the tailhead show the finish of the steer in the same way that the full brisket does. This is another overflow of stored energy stash that is easy to see on the live animal. If your steer has the finish at the tailhead, he’s good to go. If not, you can still eat him, of course.
How long does it take for a steer to be butchered?
Steers on grass only will take 26-28 months to be butcher ready. Congratulations! Raising your own beef is huge! To make sure you and your family get the best eating experience and make the best use of that beautiful steer you are raising, you’ll need to have him butchered at the right time.
What happens if you don't see a full brisket?
If you do not see a full brisket, your steer has not yet reached the ideal fat covering and marbling for his body. He needs a few more months of a high quality diet to deposit that last bit of fat needed for great eating beef.
How long before butchering date should you adjust your steer?
If you have checked your steer and not liked the finish you are seeing, if you have 3-4 months left before the butchering date, you have time to adjust his ration to help him put on fat.
Where is the brisket on a steer?
Look at the steer’s brisket for finish. For anyone who’s new: the brisket is located between the front legs of the steer. You’ll need to see the steer from the front to evaluate the brisket properly. The brisket should be full, you should be able to see a filled out padding of fat.
How long does it take to slaughter beef cattle?
After three years of research and data collection, researchers at SRUC in Edinburgh concluded that 12 months is the best age to slaughter beef cattle. Usually, the cow raising period will last up to 24 months. However, the research results show that the extra farming time after 12 months will only reduce the profit of the farmers.
What happens if a cow is slaughtered too late?
So what if the cow is slaughtered too late? The quality of meat will definitely decrease. The meat from an old cow will be tougher; the nutrient content of the flesh will also drop a little.
How tall is a cow's hip at 20 months?
At 20 months of age, the hip height of that cow will only hover around 49.8 inches.
Why is it important to raise cows for a shorter period?
Raising cows with shorter time (compared to normal period) help us benefit in costs and allow livestock to cycle faster, increase productivity. The study also showed that slaughtering cows for 12 months will help reduce the greenhouse effect and contribute to environmental protection.
How old do you have to be to raise a cow?
Normally, 36 months is the maximum age of a cow that you raise for slaughter. It is because the profits you earn from over-36-month beef cattle will no longer be guaranteed.
Is it too early to slaughter cows?
The cost to maintain old cows is also unnecessary and wasteful. So too early or too late will not be beneficial, we need to determine the best time to slaughter cows.
Can you check your cows for a sure comparison?
You can check with your cows for a sure comparison. We will continue to have two tables, based on the frame score to know the corresponding maximum weight of grass-fed cows. With the frame score that you check on your beef cattle, and based on the two tables above, you will know how much weight your cows need to achieve.
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.
