Lowline Weights

[redgate]

For those of you familiar with Lowline cattle, I am curious about how mine compare with average weights. I have 2 steers, both 8.5 months old. They are not weaned, and other than milk, they only eat hay/pasture. No grain. I used a weight tape on them both this morning, and came up with both weights around 450 lbs. Based on what I've read, this seems to be acceptable. Can anyone give me comparisons? We are planning to butcher early than normal (around 16-17 months), so I'm hoping they'll have enough growth by then.

[DenMacII]

We have Lowlines. That weight seems fine.

We've noticed good gains in our steers starting at 20 months. If you can wait until 24 to 26 months you'll have a lot more meat. They seem to fill out, and have better marbling.

Just our observations... We don't grain either. Best of luck to you.

[redgate]

Good to know. We are debating whether feeding over an extra winter is worth the increased gains or not. I'm looking forward to seeing what our final hanging weights are.

[DenMacII]

I would...When that spring grass comes in you'll be glad you did! It will be worth the wait (and weight!!!).

[WJMartin]

I had an interesting conversation with my processor who told me in his experience the breed didn't really matter, if you are mainly grass feeding wait until two and three is even better. Grass fed grows slower and marbles slower, if you're looking for tender and tasty, older is better. Which would explain why the 3 yr.old Holstein X heifer I pulled off the pasture was the best beef we've had yet.