Feeder Calves

basempires · #1 04/25/09, 08:51 PM

Just need a little clarification on terminology. Is a feeder calf, or feeder livestock in general, an animal that is specifically raised for meat over the course of a season? I tried to locate the definition on the web without success.

Thank you!

KayJay · #2 04/25/09, 09:40 PM

Erm, here's hoping I've understood it correctly over the years lol! As far as I know, a feeder is an already weaned animal that is ready to be fed up and "fattened" up for slaughter....

agmantoo · #3 04/26/09, 09:54 AM

A feeder calf is a steer or heifer, 6 - 9 months of age, 600 - 800 lbs, which goes directly to a feedlot to promote fattening. I send my calves at about 550lbs. The carrier can transport more calves thus reducing the shipping costs per animal. The buyers seemingly will pay more for the smaller calves because his "landed costs" at his destination will save him money.

If you are interested in learning about feeder calves this following makes for good reading.

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/beef/as1043w.htm

ksfarmer · #4 04/26/09, 10:09 AM

Agmantoo is right. Feeders are cattle usually old enough to efficiently go to a feedlot for finishing to slaughter. Stockers would be younger cattle who would benifit from growing on grass before becoming "feeders".

basempires · #5 04/26/09, 01:45 PM

Thank you KayJay, Agmantoo, and KSFarmer for the clarification and link.

Our long term goal is to bring in some Belted Galloway breeding stock next year and eventually establish a reasonable sized herd. We are not prepared to do that just yet so my plan was to purchase 4-6 head which I can just pasture for the remainder of the year and butcher in late fall. Our neighbor has about 12-15 head he is pasturing on our land for the year as well.

I think I'm going to put up a thread and see if anyone in close proximity has any young beef cattle available. We do have a stockyard about 30 minutes from here in Athens, PA but I'd prefer to buy directly from a farm.

Thanks for the help!