possibly backgrounding?

[Dixieangus]

Ok so with feed through the roof making the numbers work with buying and feeding cattle isnt coming out in the black. So what exactly is backgrounding cattle? i know the basics of it, like you keep the calves, wean them, get them on feed, vaccinate them etc. But what weight do you get them? All the info i can get it appreciated, thanks!

 

[bigbull338]

here is an example of backgrounding.you wean your calves worm them an give them any shots you think they need.an get them feed an hay bunk broke along with used to drinking out of the water trough.an get them used to eating feed an hay.you can keep them from 45 to 90 days.an then sell them.an you can also graze them during that time if you have the grass.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

you need to check around your area for special precon sales,, where you get payed for your efforts and a premium... dont just take em to the barn and dump em, else their thrown in with the rest of the unvacinated, nut intacted calves.. check with them to see what health and feed program you should be on

 

[IluvABbeef]

I'm sure you know too that backgrounding (which is the same as stockering, btw) is a method where weaned calves are fed a high forage-based ration so they grow and not gain too much weight in fat, but rather in muscle tissue. It's when they become feeders or finishers that the weight in terms of fat tissue have to be put on.

Now, as far as weight is concerned, that really depends on when you get them and how old the calves are when weaned. Breed also has to do with weaning weight as well. When we got our stocker calves, they averaged at around 500 to 600 lbs off the truck when we bought them in the fall or early winter, and they were mixed in breed, not uniform.

 

[Howdyjabo]

Preconditioning(60- 90 days) is getting them ready to go to backgrounding op/or a feedlot. Buyers prefer Lean and framey . You can sell any weight up to 900lbs(and lately well over 900lbs). You make money be selling them for more /lb than you bought them for- the weight they gain won't pencil a profit(usually).You make money(hopefully) on your labor(buying and working up individual heads- and all the trouble that comes with that),inputs(ie-vaccines,meds) and risk(deathloss,shrink(you won't see much weight gain the first 30 days ),market swings). Buyers want them in loads(45,000+ lbs). Backgrounders want the ones under 700lbs and feedlots would want any weight.


Backgrounding is making money by putting weight on a load(90- 160days). Generally they are 700lbs up. The end buyer is a feedlot (most of the time). Again need to sell them in loads to turn a profit. Don't get them too fat.

You can do both steps with a load. If I can't pencil a profit after preconditioning a load- I will keep them and background them.