You may grow cattle to an older age, but there is significant risk of decreased tenderness if harvested over 30 months of age.ĭetermine the rate of gain over the growing and finishing period. If it is grass finished, 18.3 months is a suggested target age. Your job will be to feed and manage the calf so that it grows and finishes around 20 months of age. You want the calf to develop muscle and lay down a proper amount of fat at a relatively early age so that the carcass is acceptable and the meat is tender. Next, decide on an expected harvest date. Then use the current and target weight to calculate the total weight gain needed. That weight should depend on its frame size and sex (See figure 1. Select a target weight at which your beef animal will be ready for harvest. Someone else has put that extra weight on the animal. But if you purchase an older, heavier calf it will cost you more total dollars to do so. The price per pound is higher for these lightweight calves compared to older calves in the 700 to 800 pound range. Try to get individual weights on the animals you purchase.

Most weaned calves will weigh about 400 to 500 pounds. Conversely, we see prices at a seasonal high in the spring because few producers fall calve/spring wean their cattle.

If you purchase calves in the fall of the year, the cost will be at a seasonal low because many cow-calf producers wean their calves in the fall and the market is flooded with a large supply. You should choose calves that have good beef character with a lot of muscling ability verses calves that have a lot of dairy character. Calculate frame size from hip height and age using tables or online calculators. Small-framed cattle will be ready for harvest at a lighter weight and with fewer days on feed than medium- or large-framed cattle. Small-framed cattle will be ready for harvest at a lighter weight and with fewer days on feed than medium- or large-framed cattle.Ĭalves come in many sizes and shapes.

Raising holstein bull calves for beef