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Growth and performance goals for successful beef farming
How to manage success in beef farming
Beef farming is a multifaceted enterprise that demands a keen understanding of various growth performance goals and measures to ensure success. Each type of beef farming operation—cow-calf, grazing/pasture, and feedlot—has distinct management practices, challenges, and target achievements. Navigating these effectively can lead to substantial gains in productivity, profitability and sustainability of beef farming.
Performance of beef cattle in cow-calf operations
For beef in cow-calf operations, the primary objective is to produce healthy calves that can be weaned and either sold or moved to the next phase of production. Key growth performance goals for cow-calf operations include:
Challenges in cow-calf operations often revolve around fluctuating market prices, harsh weather conditions, and diseases. Managing pasture quality for beef cattle to provide adequate nutrition throughout the year can also be a significant hurdle. Effective management in cow-calf operations involves selecting the right genetics to enhance growth rates, reproductive efficiency, and disease resistance. Genetic selection for maternal attitude of beef cattle is crucial in cow-calf beef farming operations as colostrum and milk administration depends solely on the “attitude” of the mother in expressing crucial maternal behaviours. Proper nutrition is crucial, with a focus on providing balanced diets to pregnant cattle and calves. Regular health check-ups and vaccinations help in preventing diseases and ensuring the overall well-being of the herd.
Performance of beef cattle in grazing/pasture operations
Grazing or pasture beef operations focus on raising cattle on natural or improved pastures. The goal is to maximize weight gain from forage while maintaining the health and productivity of the pasture.
Challenges include managing pasture during droughts or excessive rain, which can impact forage availability and quality. Balancing pasture use with conservation practices to prevent soil erosion and degradation is another common issue. Rotational grazing is a critical practice in these operations, where cattle are moved between pastures to prevent overgrazing and promote pasture regrowth. Supplementing forage with additional feed and supplements during dry seasons ensures continuous growth. Soil fertility and pasture composition are regularly monitored to maintain high-quality forage.
Performance of beef cattle in feedlot operations
Feedlot operations are the final stage in beef production, focusing on rapidly finishing cattle for slaughter. The primary growth performance goal here is to maximize feed efficiency and weight gain of beef cattle efficiently and achieve good carcass quality:
Feedlot operations for beef cattle face challenges such as managing feed costs, which can fluctuate significantly. Also, feedlots rely heavily on high-energy diets, often consisting of grain-based feeds, to achieve rapid weight gain of beef cattle in the feedlot. Monitoring feed intake and adjusting rations based on growth performance is essential. Ensuring proper housing and minimizing stress through good handling practices contribute to optimal growth rates. Finally, achieving higher grades for carcasses ensures premium market prices (See Figure 1.)
Successful beef farming hinges on understanding and managing the unique requirements and challenges of each operation type. Whether in cow-calf, grazing, or feedlot operations for beef cattle, setting clear growth performance goals and implementing effective management practices are essential. By aiming for specific target achievements and continuously adapting to the dynamic challenges of beef farming, farmers can optimize their productivity and profitability, contributing to a robust and sustainable beef industry.
Figure 1. Example of the carcass grading system in Canada. Source: Beef Cattle Research Council
Navigating the daily operations of dairy and beef farming is challenging, and the transition towards sustainable practices raises numerous questions.
Selko ruminant specialists are dedicated to help you assess and address these challenges effectively. For personalized support and expert advice on achieving sustainable and profitable farming, get in touch with our team today.
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References
Selko Feed Additives
Making sustainable dairy farming more profitable
