Beef Cattle ProductionBeef Cattle ProductionBeef Cattle ProductionBeef Cattle ProductionAn IntroductionAn IntroductionAn IntroductionAn Introduction

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Segments of Segments of the industrythe industrySegments of Segments of the industrythe industry

Cow-calfCow-calf

Stocker/Stocker/

BackgroundingBackgrounding

FeedlotFeedlot

Cow-calfCow-calf

Stocker/Stocker/

BackgroundingBackgrounding

FeedlotFeedlot

Types of Beef Cattle Operations

Beef cattle producers may specialize in one type of cattle operation or combine various types.

1. Cow-Calf Producers- a herd of cows are bred each year to produce calves. These calves are often sold sometime after weaning (6 months to 1 year old animals).

2. Seedstock- also known as purebred breeders. Keeps herds of purebred breeding animals and provide replacement bulls for cow-calf operations. These operations focus more specifically on genetic improvements within a given breed.

Types of Beef Cattle OperationsBeef cattle producers may specialize in one type of cattle operation or

combine various types.

3. Cattle Feeders

i. Stocker Operations- purchase calves from a cow-calf producer and care for them for approximately 5 months (12 months to 17 months of age).

ii. Feedlot- raises large numbers of animals in a more confined area.

a) Animals are fed to a “finished” market weight and then sent to be processed between 18-22 months of age.

b) Feedlot animals are purchased from stockers or cow-calf producers through one of the various types of livestock markets.

Cow/Calf OperationCow/Calf Operation

Breed cows ............... CalvingBreed cows ............... Calving10 mos.10 mos.

““Feeder Calf”Feeder Calf”weaned calfweaned calf~500 lbs.~500 lbs.

Stocker CattleStocker Cattle==

“ “Backgrounding”Backgrounding”

Heavy FeedersHeavy Feeders700 -1000 lbs700 -1000 lbs

FeedlotFeedlotmax intake = max gainmax intake = max gain

Fed or “Fat” CattleFed or “Fat” Cattle(Slaughter Cattle)(Slaughter Cattle)

optimal 1100 - 1300 lbs.optimal 1100 - 1300 lbs.truth 900 -1400 lbs.truth 900 -1400 lbs.

Some other beef Some other beef termsterms

Some other beef Some other beef termsterms

Dry = non-Dry = non-lactatinglactating

Wet = lactatingWet = lactating

open = not open = not pregnantpregnant

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Beef LifecycleBeef LifecycleBeef LifecycleBeef Lifecycle

Replacement FemalesReplacement Females

283 days283 days

conceptionconception birthbirth

283 days283 days10-14 mos.10-14 mos.

pubertypuberty breedbreed calvecalve22-24 months of age22-24 months of age

Terminal Male or FemaleTerminal Male or Female

283 days283 days

conceptionconception birthbirth

10-14 mos.10-14 mos.

pubertypuberty 12 -14 mos. slaughter12 -14 mos. slaughter900 - 1400 lbs.900 - 1400 lbs.

Beef LifecycleBeef Lifecycle

Processing Beef Products• Feedlots sell animals to packing plants (slaughter houses).

• Most packing facilities process animals into primal cuts and subprimal cuts. These products are sold to retailers and foodservice companies.

• Some packing facilities sell subprimals to meat processors who create value added products such as pre-cooked items, sandwich meat, etc.

• The amount of time involved in producing beef cattle is significantly longer compared to swine and poultry.

• Most beef cattle are grown independently, not on contracts.

Breeds of CattleBreeds of CattleBreeds of CattleBreeds of Cattle

English = come English = come from Englandfrom England

Usually moderate Usually moderate in framein frame

Examples Angus Examples Angus and Herefordand Hereford

Champion Hereford Steer 2007 Scarlet & Gray.jpg

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Breeds of CattleBreeds of CattleBreeds of CattleBreeds of CattleContinental = from Continental = from EuropeEurope

Often dual purposeOften dual purpose

Large framedLarge framed

heavier milkersheavier milkers

Examples: Examples: Gelbvieh, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Limousin, Simmental, Simmental, CharolaisCharolais

lightning.jpglightning.jpg

granddaughter.jpggranddaughter.jpg

Breeds of CattleBreeds of CattleBreeds of CattleBreeds of Cattle

English and English and Continental = Bos Continental = Bos taurustaurus

Bos indicus = heat Bos indicus = heat tolerant and tolerant and parasite resistantparasite resistant

From IndiaFrom India

BrahmanBrahman

2009-2nd-Place-Middleweight.jpg2009-2nd-Place-Middleweight.jpg

EPDsEPDsEPDsEPDs

Expected Progeny DifferencesExpected Progeny Differences

Comparison of measurable traits Comparison of measurable traits within breedswithin breeds

Phoenix_epds_1-28-10.jpgPhoenix_epds_1-28-10.jpg

Expected progeny differences

Expected progeny differences

• (EPDs) provide estimates of the genetic value of an animal as a parent. Specifically, differences in EPDs between two individuals of the same breed predict differences in performance between their future offspring when each is mated to animals of the same average genetic merit. EPDs are calculated for birth, growth, maternal, and carcass traits and are reported in the same units of measurement as the trait (normally pounds). EPD values may be directly compared only between animals of the same breed. In other words, a birth weight EPD for a Charolais bull may not be directly compared to a birth weight EPD of a Hereford bull (unless an adjustment is made to account for breed differences).

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