AGRICULTURAL NEWS - The live weight and fat content considered acceptable for slaughter cattle is determined by market demand. Animals can be fed in many ways to obtain a heavier carcass with the correct amount of fat within and over muscle.
In South Africa the most common practices include:
Steers remain on the veld until they are at least two years old before reaching a suitable carcass fat content. Cows fattened on summer veld achieve a good finish fairly quickly.
Planted pastures
These can be used for fattening and growing out animals. Better growth rates are achieved here than on the veld. Commonly, weaners go on to annual ryegrass pasture in autumn to be market-ready by Christmas.
Feedlots
Most cattle marketed through abattoirs come from feedlots.In an on-farm feedlot, the farmer fattens young cattle in pens or large paddocks, using bought-in or home-grown feed. The livestock can be self-produced or bought in. Commercial feedlots are the major finishers of beef. The feedlot owner, often a speculator, buys animals specifically for the feedlot. Ownership of the animals and the risk associated with feeding them becomes his responsibility.
In a custom feedlot, the feedlot operator does not buy in animals. Instead, the owner of the animals sends them to the feedlot for fattening and usually retains any risk involved.
