Help needed on picking steer/cow for processing

[chadreed88]

I have never had my own cattle processed but do to the rising meat prices I'm thinking about doing it for the first time. Have a few questions about it so if you can help me out either send a message or reply on this topic page.
1. What is better a steer or a cow?
2. What is the best breed of cattle to process?
3. How old should they be when processed?
4. How long should they be fed out before being processed?
5. What is the best feed to feed to get them to fill out quickly?

If there is anything else you would like to add about this please do. Thanks for your help

 

[backhoeboogie]

1. What is better a steer or a cow?

A steer. They grow better on feed in my opinion.

2. What is the best breed of cattle to process?

It is choice and there are lots of opinion. From what I read - Murray Gray. From my own there is a brindle that produces the best eating meat. Three customers want another steer out of that cow. She dropped a heifer.

3. How old should they be when processed?

For me weight is more of a factor than age. But I would prefer one less than 15 months.

4. How long should they be fed out before being processed?

We usually go 60 to 90 days on feed. Most of it depends on what they were grazing before we started feeding.

5. What is the best feed to feed to get them to fill out quickly?

There was a feed we were buying a few years back called "Baby Beef". My feed store no longer carries it. It had the best results for us. I'd keep using it if I could get it.