Beef eaters enjoy well-marbled meat. For feedlot operators, fat in cattle increases revenue potential. Haley Zynda shares some fat facts and the importance of calf health and nutrition before terminal feeding practices in the feedlot. These statements are important considerations:
- . . . intramuscular and subcutaneous fat begin to deposit well before the calf is even born . . . mainly through hyperplasia
- . . . until weaning there are opportunities to promote marbling fat deposition in calves
- . . . trying to put marbling in a steer only after he hits the feedlot may be fruitless if the fat cells were not already established within the muscle.
Source: FEED-LOT, December 2, 2021. Link. Fat deposition is a multi-faceted stage of development that is still being researched. Diet composition, such as grain inclusion and vitamin A concentration, can affect how fat is accumulated, but early environmental factors at weaning can affect how cattle finish months down the line.
INSIGHTS: Zynda brings up weaning stress as a fat deposition deterrent as well as the potential for immune system impairment. We believe the “skinny on fat” is yet another reason to promote best weaning practices and backgrounding.
Prime beef starts before the calf is even born.”