What is the difference between fed cattle and feeder cattle?

What is the difference between fed cattle and feeder cattle?

Feeder Cattle consist of calves weighing 600-800 pounds while Live Cattle are cattle fed to the point of harvest weight.

What is a good feed ration for cattle?

Cattle weighing 700 pounds or more should be fed a ration containing 11 percent crude protein in a ration composed of grain (usually corn, but barley and wheat are often also used), protein sources, and roughage.

What is the difference between feeder cattle and slaughter cattle?

Feeders Refers to weaned calves grazing pasture and of sufficient weight and maturity to be placed on high-energy rations for finishing; they are generally older, weigh more, and carry more condition (finish) than stockers. Slaughter Cattle Refers to cattle grazing on pasture and suitable for slaughter.

How are cattle feed rations calculated?

  1. % feed 1 x pounds of ration = total pounds needed for ration.
  2. % feed 2 x pounds of ration = total pounds needed for ration.

Is there money in feeder cattle?

Fed cattle can make money, even as high input costs continue to plague cattle-feeding profitability. With high feeder cattle and ration costs putting fed-cattle breakevens in the $1.25/lb.

Why are feeder cattle more expensive than live cattle?

Feeder cattle typically need to gain more than 500 pounds before they reach slaughter weights, so corn prices have a big impact on feeder cattle prices. Live cattle, on the other hand, are ‘finished’ products that are ready for sale to slaughterhouses.

How much grain should I feed my 800 lb calf?

Calves that are gaining at a moderate rate (2 to 3 lbs/day) need about 1.5% of their body weight as grains (800 lb calf = 12 lbs of grain), whereas calves gaining at a greater rate (+ 3 lbs/day) need more grain in their diet and should consume up to 2.0 to 2.25% of their body weight as grain (800 lb calf = 16 to 20 lbs …

How many head of cattle does it take to make a living?

As a very rough estimate, anecdotal evidence suggests that around 70 dairy cattle or 150 beef cattle is enough to earn a full-time living from farming, although many farmers have several income streams and are not solely reliant on cows.

When should I sell my feeder cattle?

The best time to sell calves is when the market is high. Traditionally, February and March are the best times of the year. During this time, wheat and oats are readily available for grazing and growing calves.

What is the difference between feed lot and grain fed beef?

This does not mean the cattle ate only grain, just that they ate at least some grain. Feed lot cattle would be producing grain fed beef. The person keeping a few steers in a barn and giving them grain and hay would be producing grain fed beef.

Are feeder cattle priced off the current market price?

Clearly, any discussion around the fed market has implications for feeder cattle, too. However, too often the discussion gets confused. Feeder cattle are not priced off the current (cash) price of fed cattle, but rather based on deferred CME futures contracts.

Do different feeding systems affect average daily gain in cattle?

among feeding systems during specific weight periods (Table 2), but overall, no consistent differences were detected between the two SF systems and the TMR treatments (P = 0.13). Average daily gain was not dif- ferent throughout the 123-day feed- ing period between the two self-fed diets (P= 0.65). Cattle fed the TMR

What do you feed mixed rations to cattle?

Complete mixed rations (as fed). Add recommended levels of vitamins, ionophores (Rumensin® or Bovatec®) and MGA® to rations. The daily protein requirements of cattle and the percentage of protein needed in the ration are given in NRC tables.