what are the three phases of beef cattle production

Beef cattle production can be divided into three general categories:

1. The cow-calf segment which produces feeder calves for further feeding/grazing.
2. The backgrounding or stocker phase of production adds body weight to recently weaned calves, resulting in yearlings that are feedlot ready.
3. The finishing stage of production is where cattle are fed until they reach market weight.

Full Answer

What are the three stages of beef production?

In beef production there are three main stages: cow-calf operations, backgrounding, and feedlot operations. The production cycle of the animals start at cow-calf operations; this operation is designed specifically to breed cows for their offspring.

What are the three phases of the cattle cycle?

Cattle cycles can be divided into three phases — contraction, expansion and turn-around. We've completed the 1996 to 2000 contraction phase. We are in the turn-around phase and about to enter expansion.

What is the meat of mature cattle?

The meat of mature or almost mature cattle is mostly known as beef. In beef production there are three main stages: cow-calf operations, backgrounding, and feedlot operations.

What are beef cattle used for?

Beef cattle are cattle raised for meat production (as distinguished from dairy cattle, used for milk production). The meat of mature cattle is mostly known as beef. In beef production there are three main stages: cow-calf operations, backgrounding, and feedlot operations.

What are the 3 phases in the production of a beef cow?

Three common solutions are 1)supplement cows with hay and/or concentrates; 2) early wean the calves; and 3) creep feed the calves. Stage 3: This is approximately from day 206 to 315 days postpartum or from the time calves are weaned until the 3rd trimester of gestation.

What is the first phase of beef production?

Cow-calf productionCow-calf production is the first stage of the beef production process. An average of about 2.2 years elapses between the breeding of a beef cow or heifer to the time their offspring are ready for slaughter.

What are the three main types of beef producers?

Several methods are used to organize and classify the types of beef production systems in the United States. The most commonly used systems are cow-calf, backgrounding, and finish- ing operations.

What are the 4 stages of beef production?

The Beef Lifecycle: From Pasture to PlateCow-Calf Farm or Ranch: Raising beef begins with ranchers who maintain a herd of cows that give birth to calves once a year. ... Weaning: ... Stocking and Backgrounders: ... Livestock Auction Markets: ... FeedYard: ... Packing Plant:

What is the process of beef production?

In beef production there are three main stages: cow-calf operations, backgrounding, and feedlot operations. The production cycle of the animals starts at cow-calf operations; this operation is designed specifically to breed cows for their offspring. From here the calves are backgrounded for a feedlot.

What is a beef production system?

Definitions. Beef cattle production systems are defined as all commercial cattle production systems where the purpose of the operation includes some or all of the breeding, rearing and finishing of cattle intended for beef consumption.

What are types of beef cattle operations?

The beef production systems can be divided into 4 types of operations: cow-calf, backgrounder (also called 'stocker' or 'grower'), feedlot, and seedstock.

What are the different types of cattle farming?

CATTLE FARMING METHODS: There are different farming systems through which cattle can be raised such as grass-fed, grain-finished, cow – calf farms and feedlots.

What are the different types of beef cattle?

Aberdeen AngusHereford cattleAmerican BrahmanCharolais cattleNeloreSimmental cattleBeef cattle/Representative species

What is the final stage of beef production?

A feedlot is the final stage of cattle production. It provides a confined area for feeding steers and heifers on a ration of grain, silage, hay, and/or protein supplement to produce a carcass that will meet the USDA quality grade Select or better for the slaughter market.

What are the stages of cows?

There are three stages to the birthing process, or parturition: dilation of the cervix, delivery of the calf, and delivery of the placenta. Knowing the normal birth process will help you decide whether or not to intervene.

What are the 4 major segments of the beef industry?

The four major segments of the beef cattle industry include,Seedstock production;Cow-calf production;Stocker/backgrounding; and.Feedlot.

What is the final stage of beef production?

A feedlot is the final stage of cattle production. It provides a confined area for feeding steers and heifers on a ration of grain, silage, hay, and/or protein supplement to produce a carcass that will meet the USDA quality grade Select or better for the slaughter market.

What are the 5 types of beef cattle operations?

Cow-calf: Maintains a breeding herd and produces weaned calves. Stocker: Buys weaned cattle and feeds them a high-roughage diet. Feedlot: Buys stocker cattle, feeds them grain and other concentrates for 90 to 120 days. Packing plant: Buys finished cattle, slaughters and processes them.

What are the stages of cows?

There are three stages to the birthing process, or parturition: dilation of the cervix, delivery of the calf, and delivery of the placenta. Knowing the normal birth process will help you decide whether or not to intervene.

What is beef processing?

Beef Processing: The meat-packing industry handles the processing of cattle and the harvesting of beef, as well as the packaging and distribution of beef products. Retail: The end beef product is sold by packers to the final consumer through grocery stores and other retail outlets.

How long do cattle feed?

Cattle can spend anywhere from 60-220 days at a feeding operation until they reach market weight of 1,400 to 1,500 pounds. In 2016 Canada fed 2.7 million cattle, and produced three billion pounds of beef. Most of these cattle came from modern feedlots that use modern production technologies to improve quality, enhance environmental sustainability, and build the international competitiveness of Canada’s beef industry.

How many cattle breeders are there in Canada?

Cattle breeders work to raise cattle with specific and superior genetics that can be sold to cow-calf ranchers. There are about 10,000 breeders of registered beef cattle in Canada.

What is cow calf ranching?

Cow-Calf Ranching: Cow-calf producers keep a herd of cows that are bred annually to produce a crop of calves. These cow-calf pairs are raised on pasture.

What breeds of cows are in the British herd?

Our national herd was originally built on traditional British breeds such as Angus, Hereford, Shorthorn and Galloway. French breeds such as Charolais, Simmental, Limousin and Maine Anjou were introduced later. Cow-Calf Ranching: Cow-calf producers keep a herd of cows that are bred annually to produce a crop of calves.

What are the phases of cattle?

Cattle cycles can be divided into three phases — contraction, expansion and turn-around. We've completed the 1996 to 2000 contraction phase. We are in the turn-around phase and about to enter expansion.

What are the components of beef marketing?

Before they can decide, producers must have a clear understanding of six key production, economic and financial components that underpin today's beef marketing system. These are: The cattle cycle and its resulting beef price cycle. The economic hurt of the mid-1990s. The increase in beef production per cow.

How much has feedlot capacity increased in the last 15 years?

Cattle-Fax reports a 15% increase in feedlot capacity in the last 15 years. Feedlots, trying to utilize excess capacity, will increase their competitive bids for feeder cattle. Price margins for feeder calves will widen, perhaps to the point that feeder calves become over-valued. Feedlots will then turn to imported Mexican feeder cattle and feeding dairy steers to utilize existing feedlot capacity.

What is the early expansion phase?

The early expansion phase is characterized first by strong prices driven by a smaller supply of feeder cattle, excess feedlot capacity, excess packer capacity and overall industry consolidation.

What causes beef price cycles?

Cattle cycles cause beef price cycles. History has demonstrated that we can expect a U- or V-shaped beef price cycle each decade. Cattle prices typically start the decade with high prices, move to low prices at mid-decade and increase again toward the end of the decade.

Why do feedlots feed cattle?

Due to higher feeder-calf price margins, some feedlots' strategy will be to feed cattle to minimize feedlot losses rather than to maximize profits. They feel it's a better alternative than closing down the feedlot and letting the feedlot cowboys go. Laid-off help is often tough to get back.

When was the calf price the lowest?

I found that in the decade of the '70s, the lowest calf prices came in 1974. In the 1980s, the lowest calf prices were in 1986. In the decade of the ‘90s, that year was 1996. I project the low in calf prices for this decade will be 2007.

How many stages of production are there in a cow herd?

The production year of the cow herd is typically broken down into four physiological stages of production. Amy Radunz, from the University of Wisconnsin reviews these stages and offers some key management strategies to consider during these periods.

What is the stage 3 of a cow?

Stage 3: This is approximately from day 206 to 315 days postpartum or from the time calves are weaned until the 3rd trimester of gestation. The cow has only 2 basic functions at this stage are 1) maintain herself and 2) maintain her pregnancy.

Why do cows spend so much time on pasture?

These is the time when the cow has her highest nutrient requirements because she is lactation and trying to re-breed. In northern climates, cows spend most of this time on pasture. This is to match the high nutrient content of the pastures during the spring, but it is important to make sure the cow is receiving enough nutrients during this period and at times pasture may not be enough.

What determines the length of time an animal needs to cycle?

Dietary energy and protein intake as well as cow body condition score will determine the length of time required for the animal to start cycling again (otherwise called postpartum anestrus period).

How long does it take for a cow to get to stage 2?

Stage 2: This is from about 80 to 205 days postpartum, or from the time of breeding to weaning. The three basic functions of the cow during this period are 1) lactation; 2) maintain pregnancy; and 3) gain weight and body condition lost during previous winter.

Why is the immune system of a calf reduced?

Reduced immune function of calf primarily due to inadequate colostrum production by the cow

What is the production cycle of cows?

The production cycle of the animals start at cow-calf operations ; this operation is designed specifically to breed cows for their offspring. From here the calves are backgrounded for a feedlot. Animals grown specifically for the feedlot are known as feeder cattle, the goal of these animals is fattening.

What is beef cattle?

Beef cattle are cattle raised for meat production (as distinguished from dairy cattle, used for milk production). The meat of mature or almost mature cattle is mostly known as beef . In beef production there are three main stages: cow-calf operations, backgrounding, and feedlot operations. The production cycle of the animals start at cow-calf operations; this operation is designed specifically to breed cows for their offspring. From here the calves are backgrounded for a feedlot. Animals grown specifically for the feedlot are known as feeder cattle, the goal of these animals is fattening. Animals not grown for a feedlot are typically female and are commonly known as replacement heifers . While the principal use of beef cattle is meat production, other uses include leather, and beef by-products used in candy, shampoo, cosmetics, insulin and inhalers .

What do cattle eat?

Grain is more expensive than pasture but the animals grow faster with the higher protein levels. Since cattle are herbivores and need roughage in their diet, silage, hay and/or haylage are all viable feed options. Despite this 3/4th of the 32 pounds (14.52 kg) of feed cattle consume each day will be corn. Cattle weighing 1000 lbs. will drink an average of 41 L a day, and approximately 82 L in hot weather. They need a constant supply of good quality feed and potable water according to the 5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare.

How long does it take for a bull to be released from a cowherd?

Most beef cattle are mated naturally, whereby a bull is released into a cowherd approximately 55 days after the calving period, depending on the cows' body condition score (BCS).

How much protein does a cow consume?

On average, cattle will consume 1.4 to 4% of their body weight daily. There are a range of types of feed available for these animals. The standard text in the United States, Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, has been through eight editions over at least seventy years. The 1996 seventh edition substituted the concept of metabolizeable protein for the sixth edition's crude protein. In the 20th century, Canadian practice followed the American guidance. Already in 1970, the Food and Drug Administration was regulating pharmaceutical supplements in beef cattle feed such as hormones and prophylactic antibiotics.

What are the duties of a cattle handler?

Cattle handlers are expected to maintain a low stress environment for their herds, involving constant safety, health, comfort, nourishment and humane handling. According to the Canadian National Farm Animal Care Council, beef cattle must have access to shelter from extreme weather, safe handling and equipment, veterinary care and humane slaughter. If an animal is infected or suspected to have an illness, it is the responsibility of the owners to report it immediately to a practicing veterinarian for either treatment or euthanasia. Depending on a multitude of factors (season, type of production system, stocking density, etc.), illness and disease can spread quickly through the herd from animal to animal. Owners are expected to monitor their cattle's condition regularly for early detection and treatment, as some cattle illnesses can threaten both cattle and human health (known as zoonotic) as witnessed with Mad cow disease and Tuberculosis .

What are some examples of dual purpose breeds?

Breeds known as dual-purpose are also used for beef production. These breeds have been selected for two purposes at once, such as both beef and dairy production, or both beef and draught. Dual-purpose breeds include many of the Zebu breeds of India such as Tharparkar ...

What is a beef cattle use class?

(includes ‘stockers’ and ‘feeders’) – An FDA beef cattle use-class definition that refers to weaned beef or dairy breed cattle that are maintained on pasture or in a dry lot, receiving the majority of their diet from forage.

What is cattle confinement?

confinement production operation in which beef cattle (or dairy cattle that are being raised for beef production) are raised to market (slaughter) weight while being fed high concentrat e diets on a feedlot (or ‘feedyard’). Feedlots range in size from less than 100-head capacity to many thousands. While at a feedlot, cattle are grouped into pens where they can socialize and exercise. The period of time that cattle are on a feedlot is referred to as the “finishing phase.” The diets fed to cattle on feedlots are usually a cereal grain, commonly corn, wheat, or barley, and cereal grain by-products such as distillers’ grains. Cattle (heifers or steers in feedlots) typically remain on a feedlot from