I know that grain feed beef taste better than hay or grass feed.
You do? I know many who would disagree with you.
My questions are
1) if I buy a steer from a sale barn and it is hay feed how long would I need to grain feed to to change the taste?
Are you experienced? Buying from the sale barn is fine provided you know what you are doing.
What weight are you planning to buy at? 200 pounds or 500?
How long are you willing to keep it?
Do you have the pasture, or are you planning to keep it in a pen?
When I wean at 5-600 pounds I put them straight on good grass pasture and water with mineral. I leave them be until they are about another 300 pounds along - we plan on about a 2-2.5 pound per day gain - they would gain faster but we are a true low cost producer - no extra money into them other than grass.
Then we sell the culls and those ging to the lot - we keep a few back for grass finishing - another story for you - but later as you have already decided what is best for you.
2) is that an economical way -vs- going to the butcher pound for pound?
This is a wide open for discussion question - you gotta' make this one for yourself.
Another question is if I started raising beef for myself how many would I have to sell to offset the cost.
:lol: :lol: When you come up with the answer let us know - I have made and lost more money than I care to remember.
Local feed costs, fuel, equipment or contractor costs, infrastructure, taxes, maintenance, general upkeep, Mother Nature and God, good luck, bad luck, health costs, crop and land cultivation, the beat goes on - if you plan on going to the point you want to cover your costs - you had better plan on more than three!!!! 8)
I know there are alot of factors to an exact answer just estimations is what I am looking for. Trying to convince myself one way or the other
One way or the other on what? Your experience level, infrastructure and total costs will be the deciding factor unless you plan to do this as a hobby - then cost is not a true factor - and to be a hobbyist is nothing to be ashamed of - in fact I figure if it interests you - try raising a couple for the heck of it. I got a serious feeling they will be spoiled rotten and turn into pets anyways. 8)
Thanks I have been reading this board for a couple of months great information getting shared.
Yeah, let's see if you at least have the courtesy to respond to the posts.
Have a good one.
Bez!