Producing Fat Yearlings for Spring and Late Summer Market
Hubert C. Moffett and
E. A. Trowbridge
University of Missouri
Abstract
1.
Range bred Hereford calves of choice quality make economicalgains and attain a satisfactory slaughter condition when fullfed grain, plus roughage, for 186 days in dry lot.
Similarcalves fed half a grain ration, plus roughness, duringthe winterand then full fed on pasture are fat enough for slaughterafter75 days of full feeding. When full fed on pasture 168days suchcattle are fat enough to produce beef of choice quality.Theirproduction requires nearly a year's time and a relativelylargeamount of grain. They utilize a limited amount of pasture.
Calvesof like breeding, type, weight, and quality fed roughageonlyduring the winter and then full fed on pasture are fatenoughfor slaughter after 112 days of full feeding. After 168daysof full feeding they produce beef of choice quality. Theirproductionrequires nearly a year's time. Eough-age for winterfeedingis usually a cheap feed. Their summer gains are morerapid andeconomical than cattle wintered more liberally.
Range bredHereford calves of choice quality, wintered on halfa grainration plus roughness, make relatively small gains inweightwhen grazed without grain during early summer. They growbutdo not fatten. Unless they are to be fed at least 60 daysafterthe grazing period the practice is of doubtful value anditsuse depends upon existing conditions.
Calves of choice quality,wintered on roughness only, grazed56 days without grain, thenfull fed grain 112 days, are fatenough to sell for slaughterbut not advantageously. They makea maximum use of roughnessand pasture with a minimum grainconsumption. Thirty to sixtydays more full grain feeding isrequired to make them sell tobest advantage as fat cattle.
Yearling cattle make the maximumamount of edible, though notchoice, beef from the use of aminimum amount of grain whenwintered on roughness only, grazedwithout grain during earlysummer and full fed until they arefat enough to sell for slaughtercattle, but are not prime fat.