tncattle":2gvfguw6 said:Eight steers averaging 700 pds. getting 100 pds. of feed a day and have so-so grass to eat.
msscamp":243gpmk3 said:tncattle":243gpmk3 said:Eight steers averaging 700 pds. getting 100 pds. of feed a day and have so-so grass to eat.
What kind of feed? If hay, what type and what is the quality? I'm assuming you're also feeding some grain - what kind, and how much/day/animal? Are you feeding once a day, or twice? Do they have a good loose mineral available free choice? You stated they have pasture available - how big is the pasture, and how far do they have to travel to water?
mitch2":12h0ecpf said:700 pounds now, don't know what breed you are taking about, but let's say avg beef, avg frame. They are only half way there. To get to finished weight, I'd say you are talking about 7 more months. Thats at 3/day gain. Obviously there are a lot of variables to consider, so I am talking AVG, if they are implanted could be sooner. But in reality 14 months finished is really pushing it. You'd have to have them penned so they can't graze, pushing them hard. Meat that we sell to individuals, I don't see them going to the processor usually anytime before 16 months, and probably 17 months is more avg for me. BUT - we don't push hard and we let them graze in the grass months. But they always have free choice grain available at this time also.
Michele
PS that doesn't mean you can't send them off before "finished" but you can't beat a properly finished animal when it comes to product.
tncattle":2q954yu0 said:mitch2":2q954yu0 said:700 pounds now, don't know what breed you are taking about, but let's say avg beef, avg frame. They are only half way there. To get to finished weight, I'd say you are talking about 7 more months. Thats at 3/day gain. Obviously there are a lot of variables to consider, so I am talking AVG, if they are implanted could be sooner. But in reality 14 months finished is really pushing it. You'd have to have them penned so they can't graze, pushing them hard. Meat that we sell to individuals, I don't see them going to the processor usually anytime before 16 months, and probably 17 months is more avg for me. BUT - we don't push hard and we let them graze in the grass months. But they always have free choice grain available at this time also.
Michele
PS that doesn't mean you can't send them off before "finished" but you can't beat a properly finished animal when it comes to product.
I was planning on taking to the processor at 1000 pds. but maybe I should wait longer, decisions, decisions.