What is a backgrounding operation?

Asked by: Nikki Brown

Backgrounding is a beef production system that involves maximal use of pasture and forages from the time calves are weaned until they are placed in a feedlot.

What is backgrounding a feedlot?

Backgrounding refers to the grouping and acclimatisation of animals prior to entry into the feedlot or intensive finishing system. This practice delivers significant production benefits once the cattle are on feed including: Improved socialisation. Improved feed intake. Reduced health issues.

What is the purpose of a feedlot?

The main purpose of feedlots is to help the animal reach a certain weight as efficiently as possible. This happens through providing a steady, high energy diet and managing the cattle to minimize health problems and stress.

What are the types of US cattle operation?

They are very adaptable to harsh climates. The beef production systems can be divided into 4 types of operations: cow-calf, backgrounder (also called ‘stocker’ or ‘grower’), feedlot, and seedstock.

What is a backgrounded steer?

Backgrounding refers to growing, feeding and managing steers and heifers from weaning until they enter the feedlot, where they are placed on a high-energy finishing ration. Backgrounding involves the feeding of a predominately forage-based diet where some grain may be fed.

What is a seedstock operation?

Seedstock operations are considered genetic suppliers, and genetic improvement is often a key focus of a seedstock cattle operation. Seedstock operators are also called breeders. Commercial cattle are usually not registered animals, may be crossbred, and may or may not be offered as breeding herd replacements.

What is backgrounding in discourse analysis?

Backgrounding relations play a crucial role in discourse and occur frequently in both written and oral corpora. These relations come in two flavors: either the background is introduced after or before the foreground (respectively Background_backwardand Background_forward).

Are feedlots inhumane?

The feedlot air is saturated with ammonia, methane, and other noxious chemicals that build up from the huge amounts of manure, and the cows are forced to inhale these gases constantly. These fumes can give them chronic respiratory problems, making breathing painful.

What is feedlot fattening operation?

3 Feedlot production system. The feedlot sector represents an intensive production system with the goal of growing and or fattening cattle until they reach slaughter weight. The feedlot sector can be further divided into growing (backgrounding) and finishing (fattening) phases.

What are confinement operations?

CAFO animals are confined at least 45 days or more per year in an area without vegetation. CAFOs include open feedlots, as well as massive, windowless buildings where livestock are confined in boxes or stalls. Other terms used to describe a CAFO: mega farm, animal factory, hog motels, poop factories, industrial farms.

Is there money in backgrounding calves?

Steer calves fed for 60 days had an average buy/sell margin of $14.15/cwt and a range of $36.73/cwt, while heifers fed for the same period of time, averaged a margin of $7.94/cwt and had a range of $29.60/cwt. This concept was very common throughout the results.

Do beef cattle need a barn?

Though cows are fairly hardy, they also need shelter to occasionally escape the elements. “The structure needs to have good ventilation,” Knight said. “They don’t have to have an insulated barn, but they do need a clean, dry place to lay in the winter time.”

What is the difference between stocker and feeder cattle?

Stockers Refers to weaned calves grazing pasture to enhance growth prior to finishing and slaughter; they are usually younger, weigh less, and are of lower condition (finish) than “feeders.”

What is beef backgrounding?

Backgrounding is a beef production system that involves maximal use of pasture and forages from the time calves are weaned until they are placed in a feedlot.

Can you make money on stocker calves?

For example, a producer who is buying beef stockers with expectations of selling them in the fall for $0.65 per pound with a daily rate of gain of 2.2 pounds per day can pay up to $0.93 per pound for calves and break even.

What weight should I sell my calves?

Most cow-calf producers can add weight to 300-pound and 400-pound feeder calves without incurring significant costs, since these calves are nursing and grazing on pasture. Some producers can add weight to 500-pound feeder calves without spending more than the gain in value.

What is the best age to sell cattle?

Age at slaughter “typically” can be from 12 to 22 months of age for the high quality grade market. The reason for the range in age is that some calves are weaned and go directly to a feeding facility and are finished for slaughter.

How old is a 400 lb calf?

At the Dickinson Research Extension Center, calves have been weaned successfully at 4 months of age, averaging 400 pounds, with no more complications than normal weaning.

How much is a 600 pound calf worth?

The Value of Selling Steer Calves vs Bull Calves

How much is a black angus calf worth?

An open Angus heifer calf, for example, can cost anywhere from $1,400 to as much as $1,800, while a full grown Hereford bull can cost upwards of $3,400.

How much is a Hereford steer worth?

steers. Heavier 600 to 700 lb. steers brought $115 to $117 per cwt. Heifers brought from $110 to a sale top $124 on replacement quality Hereford heifers averaging 597 lb.

What states raise the most cattle?

Texas remains the state with the most total cattle, followed by Nebraska, Kansas, California, Oklahoma and Missouri.

What state has the largest cattle ranch?

King Ranch, largest ranch in the United States, composed of a group of four tracts of land in southeastern Texas, totaling approximately 825,000 acres (333,800 hectares).

Who is the biggest beef producer in the world?

The United States

The United States is the country producing the most beef in the world by some margin. This is according to forecasts for 2021 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization.