Explore the Beef Lifecycle
Raising beef cattle is a long and complex journey . Because cattle need different types of food as they grow , they often move to different places and change owners about three or four times . This happens over one and a half to three years , as the cattle go through different stages of life .
PHASE 1 - COW-CALF FARM OR RANCH : Raising beef begins with ranchers . These ranchers have a herd of cows . The cows give birth to calves once a year . Calves can be born any time during the year , but most are born from January to May . About 40 percent are born in the fall . When a calf is born , it can weigh between 60 to 100 pounds . For the first six months of its life , each calf will live off its mother ’ s milk and eat grass .
4 - COLORADO AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM
PHASE 2 - WEANING : Calves are weaned or separated from their mother ’ s milk at six to ten months of age . At this weaning stage , they weigh between 450 and 700 pounds . These calves continue to eat grass . They may also eat a small amount of feed . This feed is plant based and gives the calves extra energy and protein to help them grow .
PHASE 3 - STOCKERS AND BACKGROUNDERS : After weaning , the calves may be sold to ranchers called stockers or backgrounders . These ranchers continue to care for the calves . The calves grow and thrive by eating grass in pastures . The calves also eat additional feed , which includes vitamins and minerals . This additional feed makes sure the animals are getting all of their nutritional needs .
PHASE 4 - LIVESTOCK AUCTION MARKETS : After weaning and / or during the stocker and backgrounder phase , many calves leave the farm or ranch where they were born . They may be sold at livestock auction markets , online auctions , or through a company cattle buyer . The calves are typically between 6-12 months of age at this stage .
PHASE 5 - FEEDYARD : Mature cattle are often moved to feedyards . Here cattle typically spend four to six months . They are free to eat at feed bunks . The feed is a carefully balanced diet made up of roughage and grain . Roughage can be hay and grass . Grains include corn , wheat , and soybean meal . Veterinarians , nutritionists , and caretakers work together to provide individual care for each animal .
PHASE 6 - PACKING PLANT : Cattle reach market weight around 1,200 to 1,400 pounds at 18 to 22 months of age . They are then sent to a packing plant ( also called a harvesting facility ). United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) inspectors oversee animal welfare , food safety , and quality standards . Their goal is to make sure all standards are met . There are strict standards from the time animals enter the plant until the final beef products are shipped to grocery stores and restaurants .