To finish this fall or wait until spring?

[sassafras manor]

I have 2 Holstein steers that have been raised mostly on grass with a handful of cracked corn and pelleted sweet feed as a treat to keep them managable. They were born in April 2010 and have done quite well, in comparison to our Angus heifers we had butchered last fall I am guessing their weight in the 1000-1100 range. Due to recent storm damage, many local corn farmers will be getting into their fields to harvest "downed" corn in the next few days. The moisture levels are testing out in the 25% area but due to the fact most of it is down on the ground, the need to get it out before long. In the process as they run it thru their rotary screen which allows the fines to fall out onto the ground outside of the bin. So I was thinking that rather than feeding these 2 thru the winter on hay, maybe I should finish them this fall on the corn fines. Would I be better off to wait until they are closer to ther second birthday or finish them this fall? What are your thoughts? FWIT our freezer is barren of beef......

[tinknal]

I would start him on the fines and work them up to a good amount while still on grass and butcher them when the feed runs out.

[tinknal]

Remember that in some areas butchers are booked weeks or months in advance. Make sure to book an appointment early.