Considerations for Finishing Cattle for Beef

Have you considered finishing cattle for beef? A few questions might arise when contemplating raising cattle. These could include:

What are contemporary groups?

Feeding cattle that grow similarly and finish around the same time and at similar weights will make your operation more efficient. A nutritionist will be able to target feed that group of cattle more precisely than a group of cattle with different growth patterns. Cattle can be organized in multiple ways, but the two main ways are grouping by similar body weights and breeds. If more data is provided, such as sire information or frame size, cattle can be organized using multiple layers of data to keep cattle with the most similar growth patterns together. Another method for organizing cattle groups is to use genetic testing to evaluate each animal's growth potential, then place cattle into groups based on the results. Overall, cattle in similar groups will grow more efficiently than those in a diverse group.

What type of animal should I raise?

When finishing cattle, the first thing to think about is the breed of cattle that is being raised. The two main breed types are dairy breeds vs. beef breeds. A common dairy breed used for beef is Holstein, while beef breeds can include Angus, Simmental, and Charolais. A hybrid between dairy and beef breeds can also be commonly fed in Pennsylvania. Each breed has its positives and negatives for feeding. Dairy breeds are cheaper to purchase, but cost more to feed, because they are on feed longer than beef breeds. In addition, Holstein genetics are similar, which makes a more uniform group of cattle to feed. This is advantageous because cattle in similar contemporary groups grow identically and reach market weight at similar times. Holstein beef is known for good marbling in the ribeye, but lacks overall size and shape in that ribeye. Beef breeds tend to cost more to purchase but are on feed for less time. These cattle can be more variable due to the diversity in beef cattle genetics. Variability is undesirable in raising groups of cattle because some will reach market weight sooner than others. Ensure that similar cattle are raised together to improve efficiency. Some beef crosses can provide more muscling or marbling than a purebred, which can enhance the value of the carcass and overall profitability. Dairy x beef hybrids are a new twist that could benefit from further evaluation to determine their place in the beef industry. Some hybrids will grow like beef animals, while others will grow more like a Holstein. These animals can be challenging to know which contemporary group to put them in. Overall, a breed or cross of breeds should be consistent throughout your group of cattle for better efficiency. The outlet where you sell beef should determine the breed or breeds of cattle you feed.

Where to purchase animals?

Before purchasing animals, you should decide where you plan to market them. The cattle you purchase should align with your production goals. If your goal is to produce as many cattle as possible that meet Certified Angus Beef standards, then purchasing Holsteins or non-black-hided animals to finish would not be desirable for that goal. Once you decide your production goals and have determined what kind of cattle you would like to raise, find a reputable breeder and purchase cattle directly from that source. Cattle that come vaccinated, have good nutritional background, and are not vitamin or mineral deficient will have the most success in your feeding program. Unhealthy cattle increase production costs because they require treatment, and feed intake decreases. In addition, animals that come from a reputable breeder should have stronger genetics for production and performance. If cattle are on feed for fewer days, feed costs can be lowered. The faster cattle grow, the more cattle can go through your production system, spreading fixed operational costs over more cattle and increasing profitability.

What is the take-home message?

To improve the efficiency and profitability of your operation, cattle need to be grouped similarly. The breed of cattle that you feed should match your production goals. Purchase cattle from reputable breeders who are putting in the extra time to ensure that their calves are ready to succeed in your feedlot operation. The quicker the cattle grow, the more cattle that can go through your operation in a year. More cattle in a year will spread the costs of equipment usage needed to finish cattle over more head of cattle, thus increasing profitability and your ability to grow and expand.