Table of Contents
How much grain should I feed my steer per day?
The steer will consume roughly 15-20 pounds of hay per day or 2 percent of his body weight. Grain is added to the diet three months before taking the steer to the processor. The amount of time on feed can vary from 60-150 days. For a backyard steer, 90 days on grain should be sufficient.
What is the best feed to finish a steer?
Using grain to help finish cattle on pasture can offer the best of both worlds. 10-15 lbs. 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.
What do you feed a steer for slaughter?
Feed a free choice mixture of 80 percent ground sorghum grain, 10 per- cent protein supplement and 10 percent salt as cattle are placed on pasture and continue until slaughter weight is reached. Cattle will consume this mixture at approximately 1 percent of their body weight daily.
What is the best grain to feed a steer?
Corn and milo are the principal grains fed to beef cattle. Limiting wheat to 50 percent and oats to 30 percent of the grain in finishing rations of beef cattle is recommended. Some experienced feeders use larger amounts of wheat successfully.
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.
How many bushels of corn does it take to feed out a steer?
Depending on the size and weight of the cattle, the amount of forage available for growing lighter calves, access to low-priced byproducts and other factors, 50 to 80 bushels are typically required to finish one steer.
Is it cheaper to raise your own beef?
Price-While the cost of feed can be a lot up front, the cost of natural grass fed beef is much cheaper to raise than to buy in the store. The average rate in our area is between $2.10 and $2.75 a lb, making every cut of beef around $3.00 a pound, including your expensive cuts of steak.
Is Cracked corn good for cattle?
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.
How long does it take to grain finish a steer?
Finishing animals on grass is a lengthier process than grain-finishing, often requiring between 24 and 30 months. By comparison, steers can be finished on grain in three to five months depending on how old the calves are when the graining process begins.
What do you feed calves before butchering?
For finishing beef cattle prior to slaughter, most are fed a mixture of ground, shelled corn or millet. These grains are inexpensive, nutritious and add fat to the meat to make it tender.
How much is a 1200 pound steer worth?
Based on the 2019 budget, slaughter cows (1,200 pounds) are expected to average $50 per hundredweight, while 550 pounds steers and 520 heifers are expected to average $145 and $130 per hundredweight respectively.
How long do you raise a cow before slaughter?
Regular beef cattle are usually slaughtered at around 32 to 42 months old, since at this age they are fully grown, and their muscles have developed enough to give the meat a nice marbling.
Are rolled oats good for cattle?
Oats is an ideal grain for starting cattle on feed because of its high hull and fiber content. The greater bulk and lower energy density of oats compared to other grains is particularly valuable for helping calves learn to eat and getting older cattle started on grain safely.
How much weight does a steer gain per day on grain?
Usually gains will range from 1.5 to 2.5 pounds per day. Hay-based ration with limited concentrates(grain).
What feed makes the best tasting beef?
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 is the difference between feeder cattle and slaughter cattle?
Feeders Refers to weaned calves grazing pasture and of sufficient weight and maturity to be placed on high-energy rations for finishing; they are generally older, weigh more, and carry more condition (finish) than stockers. Slaughter Cattle Refers to cattle grazing on pasture and suitable for slaughter.
How much grain should I feed my 600 lb calf?
Young calves will eat a little more and heavier cattle will eat a little less. For example, a 600 pound calf will eat 15-18 pounds of dry matter (2.5-3% of body weight) and a 1000 pound calf will eat 20-25 pounds of dry matter per day (2-2.5% of body weight).
How many pounds does a steer feed?
The average for steers is about 6-9 pounds of feed per pound of gain. Your feeding program will be your largest cost of your project. Proper feeding of your animal will allow your beef animal to shine to the best of its ability!.
How much corn do I need to feed a 500 pound calf?
(opens in new window)Corn silage rations It takes about 1.1 to 1.3 pounds of a 40 percent protein supplement per head daily to supplement the corn silage intake of 400- to 500-pound calves (Tables 2 and 3).
