Finishing steers at 13 months.

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

People are probably tired reading how I finish, but here goes.
First, I have PB Simmental cattle, heavy muscled fast growing.
We only feed our fall born steers. About a month before weaning, we start putting small amount of whole shell corn in the calf shed for them. Wean about 6.5 to 7 months old. Immediately start them on 1% bw of WSC with a 32% protein to make a 14% ration. After 2 weeks, slowly increase corn til you are feeding 3% bw.
I finish mine at 12-13 months old. They will hang a 750# carcass and easily grade choice.
WSC is the cheapest and healthiest grain to push a steer to finish.
We have 2 kill dates this month. I will post a thread with the results.

This info was posted in another thread.
We hauled 3 of our five Sept, 2022 steers to processor on Wed. We weighed them before loading them and got HCW yesterday.
60K - 1311# - HCW 802# 9/11/22
5K. - 1165# - HCW 722# 9/11/22
2K - 1280# - HCW 794# 9/23/22
Butcher was extremely pleased with the carcasses. Said "they were buttery fat". Will hang for about 14 days.
Sold halves for $4/# to me - HCW. They pay processing fee.
I will try to get some pics of hanging carcasses when we go next week to drop off next 2 steers.
1st blk steer (clean) is 60K
Red steer is 2K
Dirty blk is 5K

 

[ClinchValley86]

I'm going to try your method on a couple this year on some salebarn buys.

I'm sure you've shared the info, but what do you expect to have tied up in them by the time they're processed? Feed stuffs $$$ I mean.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

They weighed 580#, 645#, & 610# when they were weaned and worked.
I calculated they ate 2 Ton of WSC each from start to finish. My corn is $280/Ton, so $560 in grain. They eat free choice grass thru the summer with their grain and then large round bales (shared with another group of cattle) last 1.5 months. Also, maybe less than $100 in Ration Builder (32% protein pellet)
$560 + $100 = $660 x 5 steers = $3300
1 steer 802# HCW x $4 = $3208
That looks awesome, but you also have to consider the value of the steers at weaning - and your time. Still, nice profit for 6 months labor thru the summer months.

 

[ClinchValley86]

They weighed 580#, 645#, & 610# when they were weaned and worked.
I calculated they ate 2 Ton of WSC each from start to finish. My corn is $280/Ton, so $560 in grain. They eat free choice grass thru the summer with their grain and then large round bales (shared with another group of cattle) last 1.5 months. Also, maybe less than $100 in Ration Builder (32% protein pellet)
$560 + $100 = $660 x 5 steers = $3300
1 steer 802# HCW x $4 = $3208
That looks awesome, but you also have to consider the value of the steers at weaning - and your time. Still, nice profit for 6 months labor thru the summer months.

Dang right it is. I like the time frame a lot. Very attractive.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

With my program, my cattle, I have kill dates 1 year in advance.
I know they will be born in Sept or Oct. So, I know they will be 12 - 13 months old. I full feed and my calves can grow.
With different genetics, you might not be able to get that ADG, but you would still have a consistent kill date. At that age, they are all tender.

 

[gcreekrch]

Good genetics should be ready at 13 months if fed to do so.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

We hauled our last 2 out of the 5 to the butcher Wednesday. While there, I got 1 picture of 5K carcass. His freezer was full and I was unable to SEE the other sides (did not want to touch any of the carcasses).
They weighed:
BD3K - 1180# - HCW 728# born 9/8/22 (lighter red)
3E2K - 1220# - HCW 736# born 9/22/22 (darker red)

Butcher raved about the first 3 - high marbling, just enough outside fat.
Carcass is 5K from 1st kill date.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

My five, 13 month old steers ended up averaging 756.4#/HCW
I've posted that thay generally average a 750# HCW.
Nice they didn't make me a liar!!