Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 12:21 am
I would be interested to know how other breeders fatten their stock.
Quantities of feed / hay / silage etc.
Quantities of feed / hay / silage etc.
Hi Mike,
I really feel that it is about time that a general meeting was arranged regarding dexter beef, as there are so many of us producing beef. I am sure it would be very beneficial for a gathering of information regarding fattening methods, diets, meat off the bone percentages of different age and size carcasses, and especially prices of both the meat and what people are paying for steers.
Martn Ryder's article in the bulletin made interesting reading, and all the three new council members mention interests in beef.
I personally keep information regarding kg of each cut eg Topside that I get off each animal that is sent in, so that I can look at frame size, diet etc and see what gives the best return.
My steers are on grass and best quality ( meadow ideally)haylage only, and I would say that the older steers were on approx 1/5th big bale each, per week, during the winter. With this, and the fact that they are not usually weaned until 10 months if the mother doesn't do it herself, I know I can normally expect approx 400 kg liveweight at 24 months.
Hope this helps, and hope that the DCS may consider arranging a meeting.