ASC 382 Exam #2: Beef Cattle Operations

Cow-calf operations

• focus on producing marketable cattle or finished calves for the beef supply chain

• stay with dams until weaning which occurs at 6-8 months of age and around 450-700 pounds

• cow is rebred 60-90 days post-weaning

Stockers & backgrounder operation

• intermediate phase of beef cattle production, feeding cattle for growth prior to the cattle entering a feedlot for finishing

• stocker producers purchase weaned calves (450-700 lbs) and grow them til they reach a weight of 700-900 lbs or 9-12 months of age

Feedlot & finishing operations

• enter from either stock operations or as recently weaned calves

• fed high-energy rations to promote rapid weight gain and efficient meat production

• feedlot cattle remain until they reach about 18-22 months of age and a market weight of 1,200-1,400 lbs

Packing plant operations

• carcasses are broken down into primal and retail cuts and cuts are packaged for distribution

• cattle are sold to meat packers based on live weight, carcass weight, quality grade, and/or yield grade