A recent study in Applied Animal Science offers guidance for producers weighing how to manage beef calves and meet market demands. The results offer perspective on the trade-offs between backgrounding and finishing systems:
- Conventionally managed steers in the study had greater average daily weight gain and feed efficiency and reached their target finished weight faster, with fewer days on feed.
- Steers raised naturally produced the largest meat yield with higher marbling scores and a larger proportion of the highest quality grade but had higher prevalence of liver abscesses.
Source: BEEF, April 15, 2024. Link.
INSIGHTS: Consider using this article to start conversations with producers about their production objectives.