novatech
Well-known member
I know this is the wrong forum but this is where it was brought up so I going with it.
This is my understanding.
After reading Dun's poll it is very obvious that almost all cow calf producers have grass fed operations. Therefore almost all cattle are bred to well on grass (Grass fed genetics). Given that all cattle should be grass finished, economically speaking, if it was a genetic trait.
The only genetic trait I can see is in capacity. High capacity cattle would do better on lower quality forage and flat sided cattle would need a high quality forage to give the same results.
Grass fed/grain fed is not a function of genetics. It is a function of the rumen system and the microbes contained in it. Every ruminant animal contains, basically, two types of microbes within the rumen system. When grass is the majority of their diet then the microbes for grass are the primary microbes. Before they go to the feed lot they are back grounded to convert over to microbes for digestion of starches. When they go to the feed lot the the microbes that break down starches become the dominant microbes in the rumen system.
Is there something I am missing?
This is my understanding.
After reading Dun's poll it is very obvious that almost all cow calf producers have grass fed operations. Therefore almost all cattle are bred to well on grass (Grass fed genetics). Given that all cattle should be grass finished, economically speaking, if it was a genetic trait.
The only genetic trait I can see is in capacity. High capacity cattle would do better on lower quality forage and flat sided cattle would need a high quality forage to give the same results.
Grass fed/grain fed is not a function of genetics. It is a function of the rumen system and the microbes contained in it. Every ruminant animal contains, basically, two types of microbes within the rumen system. When grass is the majority of their diet then the microbes for grass are the primary microbes. Before they go to the feed lot they are back grounded to convert over to microbes for digestion of starches. When they go to the feed lot the the microbes that break down starches become the dominant microbes in the rumen system.
Is there something I am missing?