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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:12 pm
by Kathy Millar
I may be taking in a first time calver at about 30 months of age to the butcher after weaning her calf. How long should I wait after weaning and will having a calf affect the tenderness of the beef? In other words, will I have the same quality of beef as I would from a steer/heifer of the same age? My butcher hangs meat for 2 weeks maximum.
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:43 pm
by ann
Meat of a heifer is by some people considered superior, to bullocks,
I've not killed one which has calved but have always had good feed back from heifers from my customers on ones I have butchered around the 30 mths.
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:27 am
by Sylvia
I've got two 4 year olds who had calved (and one under 30 months) coming back this week after 3 weeks+ hanging. I'll let you know.
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:35 am
by Broomcroft
What are the rules for over 30 months? I know it has to be killed at an OTM abattoir, but can you sell the meat?
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:25 am
by Sylvia
I sincerely hope so, Clive, it is only the over 10 year olds+ who can't go into the food chain and they go on the (soon to be closing) scheme. Before BSE I would have thought most prime beef was from animals over 30 months and the under 30 month animals might have been termed baby beef or something. I've spoken to a couple of people who've had cows for a lot longer than me and they confirm this.
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:16 pm
by Penny
Sylvia,
a heifer who has calved is meant to be the best beef of all, so I would market it well!
Yes, we can all sell post 1996 beef providing we use the approved abattoirs, it just cost more to get them slaughtered.
Penny
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 3:37 am
by Kathy Millar
Does it matter how soon after weaning I butcher her? I was thinking to giver her a couple of weeks to settle down.
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 7:02 am
by Broomcroft
Penny /Anyone
a heifer who has calved is meant to be the best beef of all
What if it's a cow that has calved many times?
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:43 am
by Inger
Yes, I'd be interested to know how long I should leave between weaning a calf and having the cow butchered. I normally wean the calf at 6 months of age.
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 12:14 pm
by Issy
Sylvia, what was the beef like?
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:26 pm
by Sylvia
Meat looked very attractive. Much leaner than we have had from previous younger animals, but still with nice marbling. Also looked a darker colour. Taste absolutey first rate and tenderness no different from previous ones. It was hung for just over 3 weeks. I'd have no qualms about doing the same again.
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:42 pm
by Issy
Thanks Sylvia.