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Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:36 am
by Broomcroft
Hello
Hope you don't mind but I would like to ask two questions of those with the experience in finishing:
1. In the UK, which breeds of cattle ARE CAPABLE OF realistically being finished on grass alone (or at least 95% on grass alone) apart from Dexters?
2. Of those breeds that could realistically be finished on grass, which actually are do you think, or at least what proportion are?
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:02 pm
by oliver1921
I really do not think any breeds are capable of being finished within 24 months on grass - we need 30 months as i am sure most other people do. i think any other breed would struggle even more than us.
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:45 pm
by Broomcroft
Oliver
I didn't mean to limit it to 24 months.
As a matter of interest we do finish most within 24 months and a lot within 20 purely on grass. It's quite a "rich" grass which we have drilled for the purpose, with quite a lot of clover content also.
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:14 pm
by Jo Kemp
I agree - quality grass and enough of it can produce the finished animal - 24 months is tight though. My first 24 month purebred dexter should be ready in April .. not looking as good as I should like 5 weeks beforehand. The 3/4 bred is ready though!
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:12 am
by Broomcroft
Bought a brilliant book, Grass-Fed Cattle, from Amazon.co.uk. I tried to get the latest book, Pasture Perfect, but it was £55!!! In the States you can get it from Amazon.com for as little as $8. It isn't just about grass-fed, it's about everything to do with cattle from every angle. It's a big book.
In it, I've found one answer to both questions. The answer is apparently nearly every cattle in Argentina is fed and finished totally on grass out on the range. But, they're not in the UK so don't quialify. Too many air miles, so not good.
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:29 pm
by Rob R
I am firmly of the opinion that any animal is capable of being finished on grass, the problem being that the further towards the 'commercial' breeds you get, the less genetically disposed they are to growth from grass, after years of being selected for growth from concentrates. The key to grass finishing being with more emphasis on grassland management, keeping the grass before them fresh & fully utilised, and making sure winter feed is of the highest quality possible, rather than the merits of any particular breed (but of course Dexters have the edge :;): ). Or even age, as they regularly 'finish' at 18-20 months on grass in the US. An under-finished grass fed steer is still going to taste (and be) better than a well finished grain fed one any day of the week.
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:34 pm
by Jo Kemp
The 3/4 bred Dexter weighed 194kgs on the hook. I liked the look of the carcase - excellent covering of fat and it was such a lovely colour. Am looking forward to seeing the butcher!
Had he stayed on the hoof for another 6months he would have been very good but perhaps too fat!
Will let you know how much packed meat we get
Jo
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:50 am
by Broomcroft
Jo - What's the other 1/4?
Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2007 12:42 am
by jim
The Galloway is a breed I have seen touted as being capable of being finished on grass. In the old days on the Canadian prairie everything [mostly Hereford and Angus] was grass finished, but they would be rounded up as three and four year olds to be sent for slaughter.
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:54 pm
by Jo Kemp
In answer to Clive's question - the 1/4 is hereford.
The Galloway is finished on grass but not by 24 months unless the breed has been changed!
I have a hunch that the Dexter is the only native breed that has a chance of finishing by 24 months but could be wrong. Certainly the hereford element in my steer made him even more chunky .... his half brother due to go end of August is looking reasonable though... he is pure bred but the dam is more of a dairy cow - Harron Sunday's Gold - the sire is very beefy though - Breoch Sultan. The steer is virtually the height of his sire already but not thickened out properly yet.
The Hereford X heifer born last year is also like her brother, beefy - interesting as most farmers say that heifers mature earlier than bullocks.... is that so with Dexters?
Jo
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:29 pm
by Penny
Jo, can you let me know the meat off the bone percentage when you have it, please?(or just total weight of the beef you got back)
I am compiling statistics on dexter steers and heifers at the moment, and it would be so useful to compare a dexter cross hereford.
I am presuming that he will be hung 3 weeks, as this obviously will make a statistical difference on the weight of the meat.
Many thanks
Penny
Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:15 pm
by Broomcroft
Jo
You said the words "I have a hunch that the Dexter is the only native breed that has a chance of finishing by 24 months but could be wrong."
I am looking for something unique to Dexter's. Something that people who sell beef can reliably quote and if your hunch is correct, that could be exactly what we need to help sell beef, or if the supply is limited, get the price up (eventually).
We beef people would really appreciate anyone else's opinions of whether Jo's hunch is a little more than a hunch and could possibly be fact. Remember, I'm only talking of UK cattle (i.e. beef that doesn't travel far).
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:16 am
by Jo Kemp
Yes Penny, I will post up the meat figures for both the 24 month Dexter cross and the 39 month pure Dexter heifer (her gross dead weight was 204kg - will have her figures Wed
I agree Clive - IF I am right and the meat is as good at 24 months we should be on a winner .... especially considering the costs of production!
Jo
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:41 pm
by Penny
Thanks Jo.
I will also post the data of recent dexter steers fed only grass and hay/haylage for comparison.
Penny
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:57 pm
by Rob R
When we are talking about finishing Dexters on grass, how many people graze rotationally, keeping fresh grass in front of them all the time, and how many are just ranging their steers with the cows?
We've got CSS grassland, so it has to be grazed in a 'traditional' manner, but grazing the non-CSS field this summer I'd like to note the difference it makes to utilisation & growth. I think I'm going to have to invest in a weigh crush & run them through it when moving between fields.