Depends on the breed (Dexter) and the quality of the grass that they are being finished on. Our heifers, traditional british cross breeds winter on grass, hay if there is snow, without grain unless we have a very severe cold spell. As yearlings (12 months) they will weigh in the neighborhood of 700-800 lbs.
Early maturing breeds should in theory finish faster on grass, and if that grass would be winter wheat, annual rye, rye grass, etc., they would finish even faster and heavier.
dun
D.R. Cattle":151pinl1 said:
lazyhill":151pinl1 said:
I look for a combination of age and weight. This can vary significantly by breed since different breeds mature at different times and therefore will have different levels of marbling at this ages.
Like Craig, I prefer a grass finished product as the meat is leaner, and I think, tastier. Look for something around possibly 18 months or 800 lbs.
18 months sounds good but most would be quite a bit heavier than that at that age.