Growing a steer Q or few~

[ChasingDreams]

I am in the process of figuring out the economics of growing a steer for the freezer ~ I say buy a cheap jersey steer, dh wants an angus. Which is a more economically viable choice?

ANYhoo - How do you feed your steers? How much, if any, grain do they need after weaning? Can I keep them on hay/pasture until the last couple months for good marbling? How much food (other than adequate pasture/hay) do they require for optimal growth and nutrition?

We have a bred Jersey, and I'm inclined to think that it would require similar... please correct me if I'm wrong!

[ChasingDreams]

also ~ how does the dressed weight generally compare to live weight?

[thequeensblessing]

You also may want to consider the flavor differences in the two. Jersey beef is actually more flavorful than angus beef, has a stronger flavor. Some like it, others don't care for it. It has a yellower fat on it that some don't like, others do. It's really a matter of personal preference, however, if you only like very mildly flavored meat, you'd probably be happier with the angus.

[montysky]

Originally Posted by ChasingDreams

I am in the process of figuring out the economics of growing a steer for the freezer ~ I say buy a cheap jersey steer, dh wants an angus. Which is a more economically viable choice?

ANYhoo - How do you feed your steers? How much, if any, grain do they need after weaning? Can I keep them on hay/pasture until the last couple months for good marbling? How much food (other than adequate pasture/hay) do they require for optimal growth and nutrition?

We have a bred Jersey, and I'm inclined to think that it would require similar... please correct me if I'm wrong!

You will need to run the numbers, are you going to grass finish them or grain?
jersey steer will finish at 950-1050 Angus 1100 -1300 pounds I lke 12oo to 1250. I put my Angus and Black baldies on grain to increase it to 20 pounds a day on hold them at 20 pounds for 120 days. Angus beef can be mild to very strong base on the diet, aging time and age of the animal.

[Up North]

Our dairy steers receive about 2 pounds/day grain and good quality hay from the time they are weaned(approximately 75 days age) until they obtain a weight of 450-500 pounds. Then go on pasture or hay.
A beef breed calf would normally stay on it's mother until it is in the 400-600 pound weight range at weaning, and would not need grain as it has momma's milk.

Nothing wrong with either choice. With today's grain prices, however, the beef breed purchased at a heavier weight may be the economic choice?

Me I would buy a red or yellow beef calf and raise it for the freezer in preference to an Angus. Simply because you can buy one for less in the marketplace, but the freezer will be just as full of good beef at end of the day.
They are all red on the inside.