1. Beef Cattle Production
An Introduction
cow_calf_pair.gif

2. Segments of the industry
Cow-calf
Stocker/Backgrounding
Feedlot

3. Types of Beef Cattle Operations
Beef cattle producers may specialize in one type of cattle operation or combine various types.
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).
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.

4. Types of Beef Cattle Operations
Beef cattle producers may specialize in one type of cattle operation or combine various types.
3. Cattle Feeders
Stocker Operations- purchase calves from a cow-calf producer and care for them for approximately 5 months (12 months to 17 months of age).
Feedlot- raises large numbers of animals in a more confined area.
Animals are fed to a “finished” market weight and then sent to be processed between months of age.
Feedlot animals are purchased from stockers or cow-calf producers through one of the various types of livestock markets.

5. “Feeder Calf” Cow/Calf Operation Stocker Cattle = Heavy Feeders
weaned calf
~500 lbs.
Cow/Calf Operation
10 mos.
Breed cows Calving
Stocker Cattle =
“Backgrounding”
Heavy Feeders
lbs
Fed or “Fat” Cattle
(Slaughter Cattle)
optimal lbs.
truth lbs.
Feedlot
max intake = max gain

6. Some other beef terms Dry = non-lactating Wet = lactating
open = not pregnant
cow&calf2.jpg

7. Beef Lifecycle Replacement Females 283 days 283 days 10-14 mos.
conception
birth
breed
calve
puberty
22-24 months of age

8. Terminal Male or Female
Beef Lifecycle
Terminal Male or Female
10-14 mos.
283 days
conception
birth
mos. slaughter
puberty
lbs.

9. 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.

10. Champion Hereford Steer 2007 Scarlet & Gray.jpg
Breeds of Cattle
English = come from England
Usually moderate in frame
Examples Angus and Hereford
Champion Hereford Steer 2007 Scarlet & Gray.jpg
IMG_6997.JPG

11. Breeds of Cattle Continental = from Europe Often dual purpose
Large framed
heavier milkers
Examples: Gelbvieh, Limousin, Simmental, Charolais
lightning.jpg
granddaughter.jpg

12. Breeds of Cattle English and Continental = Bos taurus
Bos indicus = heat tolerant and parasite resistant
From India
Brahman
2009-2nd-Place-Middleweight.jpg

13. EPDs Expected Progeny Differences
Phoenix_epds_ jpg
Expected Progeny Differences
Comparison of measurable traits within breeds

14. Expected progeny differences
(PARAPHRASE THIS)
(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).