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

8/13/2012 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 1

8/13/2012 Beef Industry Segments Seedstock Producer Cow-calf Operation Stocker Cattle Feeder Cattle Packer Restaurants Retailer/Direct Consumer 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 or 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 2

8/13/2012 Selecting for Efficient Cattle and Quality Beef Which segment(s) to select for? Segments Focus Cow-calf Reproduction and Calf weaning weight longevity of cows, maternal ability 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) 3

8/13/2012 Cow-calf Management Guide and Cattle Producers’ Library Order book at http://www.avs.uidaho.edu/wbrc/samples.html Free on-line at http://www.ansci.colostate.edu/beef/info_pages/cattlemanslibrary.html 4

8/13/2012 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 5