the older they get - the tougher they get
How old is old? I am trying to get the process right. Any help you can provide is appreciated. Mostly Angus with a little Limousin from grandma.
I have a steer, just over 20 months, that weighed in at 1200# yesterday that has a kill date on June 13. I started feeding him first of January. Would you say he is too old? I started feeding him late, but he has responded well, I think?
Another is 14 months and weighed 1060# yesterday, no kill date scheduled. He was added to the feed out program Mid March.
I have been feeding a mixed feed that has 50% cracked corn and WSC, a bag of each which makes the corn component 75%. Today I changed to 1 bag mixed feed and 2 bags corn to increase to 83% corn. Four steers are being fed, roughly 60+ lbs twice a day. They have access to water, hay, and a mineral tub.
To critique myself, I think I need to decide which animals to feed out a lot earlier, say 8 to 10 months, and build from there? I have a small operation that I am trying to build a freezer beef operation.
My last one was an Angus/Wagyu heifer that I bought from my neighbor. She was almost 25 months when she went to processor. Customer reports have come back positive on the tenderness, marbling, and flavor of her. She was just over 1000# when I purchased her, I fed her for 2.5 months, she was 1210# on kill date and hung at 774#.
Again, any guidance you (or others) can provide is very welcome.
Bob