Beef Finishing fat covers

Gentleman Farmer

Hi all. Weighed some continental bullock I am finishing here and they are performing fine gaining 1.2kg per day since housing 45 days ago. Average housing weight was about 550-570 kg. I was planning to feed on for about 90-100 days and factory. They are on top quality silage bales of 72dmd (per sample or better 2nd cut)and 6kg maize/barley based elite beef nut 12% CP. I have noticed that this year they seem to have built up quite a bit of fat cover already and continuing at this rate could well be 4= or better at killing, losing my bonus. Thinking of cutting back on the meal maybe to 4kg. Any thoughts?

severeoversteer

Gentleman Farmer wrote: »

Hi all. Weighed some continental bullock I am finishing here and they are performing fine gaining 1.2kg per day since housing 45 days ago. Average housing weight was about 550-570 kg. I was planning to feed on for about 90-100 days and factory. They are on top quality silage bales of 72dmd (per sample or better 2nd cut)and 6kg maize/barley based elite beef nut 12% CP. I have noticed that this year they seem to have built up quite a bit of fat cover already and continuing at this rate could well be 4= or better at killing, losing my bonus. Thinking of cutting back on the meal maybe to 4kg. Any thoughts?

increase the protein of the nut

or use straight gluten

was in similar situation last spring and gluten held the beasts until june when I had hoped there would be a better price but there wasn't really

have fed upto 8kg gluten a day without any bother

gluten has a good balance between energy and protein and can be fed on its own

can be bought for 210 a tonne delivered

will stop them going over fat




what age are they and breed?
a lot depends on the breed and age too and sex

Coonagh

Would you not just kill them now

severeoversteer

Coonagh wrote: »

Would you not just kill them now

sure they aren't near heavy enough

they need to be 760kg to have a chance of killing 400kg dw

at best if killed now theyd only make €1340 1380 assuming theyre 630-40kg live at 4.05 euro a kilo

Coonagh

severeoversteer wrote: »

sure they aren't near heavy enough

they need to be 760kg to have a chance of killing 400kg dw

at best if killed now theyd only make €1340 1380 assuming theyre 630-40kg live at 4.05 euro a kilo

Would there be no margin if you killed them now?

How much more feed to get the extra 130 kgs and at what cost?

Gentleman Farmer

severeoversteer wrote: »

sure they aren't near heavy enough

they need to be 760kg to have a chance of killing 400kg dw

at best if killed now theyd only make €1340 1380 assuming theyre 630-40kg live at 4.05 euro a kilo

Exactly. That's my dilemma. They are young - 23/24 months. Given that the silage is very good and protein is 15% would simply reducing the meal balance it I wonder? (And the fact that I have about 3/4 of a bulk bin full to yet use , rather than changing!) don't want to badly affect the weight gain either. Mainly limos, chars and few blues. Less concerned about the Blues. Bit leaner.

Coonagh

Gentleman Farmer wrote: »

Exactly. That's my dilemma. They are young - 23/24 months. Given that the silage is very good and protein is 15% would simply reducing the meal balance it I wonder? (And the fact that I have about 3/4 of a bulk bin full to yet use , rather than changing!) don't want to badly affect the weight gain either. Mainly limos, chars and few blues. Less concerned about the Blues. Bit leaner.

I'd do the maths and see what you are actually gaining by feeding them on. Is killing them and replacing them to feed again an option? Albeit a risky one.

Will the factories be keen to buy a 400 kg carcass?

You'll have a fair job keeping them from going over fat without them losing weight.

farawaygrass

Was in same position few weeks back although with Angus bullocks and heifers. Agent was out looking at others, showed him them and asked about cutting back meal to stop them going overfat. He said not to so that, to kill them when they are fit. I know he was ab agent and might have a hidden agenda but that's my 2 cents worth. Also often heard cattle/sheep are like fruit, they are only rightly fit for killing/ripe once in their life

severeoversteer

Gentleman Farmer wrote: »

Exactly. That's my dilemma. They are young - 23/24 months. Given that the silage is very good and protein is 15% would simply reducing the meal balance it I wonder? (And the fact that I have about 3/4 of a bulk bin full to yet use , rather than changing!) don't want to badly affect the weight gain either. Mainly limos, chars and few blues. Less concerned about the Blues. Bit leaner.

are you sure they are that fat already?
ive never killed a continental bullock that was too fat at two year old

increasing protein should lessen the rate that they are gaining fat so maybe add in some soya into the ration you already have

id be afraid to reduce feed levels to be honest


did you get a good feel of the flesh behind their tail and along ribs?

you can scan the fat depth with a scanner, vet was saying it can be done but sure at what cost?

dryan

severeoversteer wrote: »

are you sure they are that fat already?
ive never killed a continental bullock that was too fat at two year old

increasing protein should lessen the rate that they are gaining fat so maybe add in some soya into the ration you already have

id be afraid to reduce feed levels to be honest


did you get a good feel of the flesh behind their tail and along ribs?

you can scan the fat depth with a scanner, vet was saying it can be done but sure at what cost?

How do you go about estimating the fat covers on cattle from looking at them in the yard or field?

severeoversteer

dryan wrote: »

How do you go about estimating the fat covers on cattle from looking at them in the yard or field?

get them up the race and rub hands along ribs and take a good pinch

or just get your finger and lightly press against the beasts ribs or tailhaed and see if it is soft, if it is nice fat cover it should feel abit like pressing your finger on the cheek of your arse !

I don't put them up the crush myself I just eyeball them as they walk and move about the place

you shouldnt be able to make out any ribs on a beast when looking

coolshannagh28

good rule of thumb ,when their backs are flat.

TUBBY

severeoversteer wrote: »

if it is nice fat cover it should feel abit like pressing your finger on the cheek of your arse !

??????
Never heard that one before.

Count Mondego

Another good indicator is the 'shelf' 6-12 inches long that sticks out from the spine behind the ribs. You'd see on a thin cow that this is fairly pronounced but when and animal fattens this shelf disappears as the flesh fills out.

Count Mondego

severeoversteer wrote: »

if it is nice fat cover it should feel abit like pressing your finger on the cheek of your arse !

Clenched arse or relaxed arse? :-)

Willfarman

The bollix the brisket and the tail head.

severeoversteer

Count Mondego wrote: »

Clenched arse or relaxed arse? :-)

relaxed arse :cool:

not a jockeys arse either:D

severeoversteer

Willfarman wrote: »

The bollix the brisket and the tail head.

what if they don't have a bollox ?



them bands for castration does take the sack and all off them:eek:

Willfarman

severeoversteer wrote: »

what if they don't have a bollox ?



them bands for castration does take the sack and all off them:eek:

that would present a major problem to an amateur such as myself!

smokey-fitz

I look at the tail head, usually a dip if a bit lean. Id also look at the area between the bollox and arsehole, skin dose be nice and tight when well fleshed

Muckit

smokey-fitz wrote: »

Id also look at the area between the bollox and arsehole

God this farming lark would have a lad at quare stuff!

smokey-fitz

Muckit wrote: »

God this farming lark would have a lad at quare stuff!

Sure who ya telling :P... Was the easiest explanation, especially if anyone is new to it.

When I was fattening a batch a while back there was a lad out to have a look and was telling me what to look for. And thats what he said, was funny at the time but after that I usually get 3 and 4 fat scores and it takes out alot of guesswork. Granted there all whiteheads so easy fattened but same principle. Works for me anyway.

weatherbyfoxer

smokey-fitz wrote: »

Id also look at the area between the bollox and arsehole,

Ha ha ha...so if its a heifer your looking into her ....???

smokey-fitz

weatherbyfoxer wrote: »

Ha ha ha...so if its a heifer your looking into her ....???

Ha was waiting for you..By all means give it a go.. not sure if u will get the answer your looking for tho