The Beef Herd Shelby Filley Regional Livestock & Forage - - PDF document

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The Beef Herd

Shelby Filley

Regional Livestock & Forage Specialist

Choosing a part of the Beef Industry

• Many parts (segments)
• Choose to take part in all or just some
• Consider partnering with others to raise,

finish, and market the cattle

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Beef Industry Segments

Seedstock Producer Cow-calf Operation Stocker Cattle Feeder Cattle Packer Restaurants Consumer Retailer/Direct Consumer

Segment functions

• Seedstock producer provides purebred bulls (and

sometimes cows) to the Cow-calf operation

• Cow-calf operator provides weaned calves to the stocker
• r feeder cattle operator
• Stocker cattle operator feeds weaned calves on grass &

provides yearling cattle to the feeder

• Feeder cattle operator feeds older calves

(grain in a feedlot, grass in the improved pastures) until fattened for slaughter

• Packer receives “finished” cattle to slaughter and fabricate

into packages of meat for the retailer

• Retailer presents the meat to consumers

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Selecting for Efficient Cattle and Quality Beef

Which segment(s) to select for?

Segments Focus Cow-calf Reproduction and longevity of cows, maternal ability Calf weaning weight Stocker Yearling weight Feeder Efficiency of gain Yield and Quality All Complete package and over-all efficiency

Genetic Selection

• Know what you have
• Know what you want
• Consider all traits when selecting

– Maternal – Carcass

• Be aware of conflicting traits
• The Systems Concept of Beef Production (CL1002)

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Cow-calf Management Guide and Cattle Producers’ Library

Free on-line at http://www.ansci.colostate.edu/beef/info_pages/cattlemanslibrary.html Order book at http://www.avs.uidaho.edu/wbrc/samples.html

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Selecting Feeder Cattle

• Use early maturing, small to medium framed cattle
• For your base herd

– Use English breeds (Angus, Hereford, etc.) with excellent marbling ability – Avoid large, continental breeds (take more time to finish)

• Utilize cross-breeding to get appropriate mix
• Choose well-muscled cattle with good feet and legs
• Choose healthy cattle from a reputable producer
• Consistency is important