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Several red angus cattle feeding at a feed bunk.

Raising Freezer Beef: Management Considerations

A trend that has become more prominent in recent years is for ranchers to finish a few animals and sell beef direct to the consumer. Proper feeding and management is key to capturing extra value and in meeting customer expectations.

Left: Black cow with the appropriate amount of fat cover, or finish for market. Right: Red steer that needs more time on feed.

Raising Freezer Beef: When Is the Animal Finished?

Many producers have had their own beef processed for years, and some may have been selling animals to their neighbors on occasion. It's another matter entirely when the objective is satisfying customer expectations, especially if finishing cattle hasn't been a normal part of your operation.

Producer inspecting an inventory of farm-raised, frozen beef in a freezer.

Raising Freezer Beef: Meeting Customer Expectations

A variety of factors may lead consumers to purchase beef directly from a producer. When purchasing freezer beef, most consumers expect an eating experience that would be as good or better than buying beef from retail.

Small group of beef cattle approaching a pressed mineral block.

Mineral Consumption Calculator

Mineral consumption is key to determining whether or not nutrient requirements are being met. The mineral consumption calculator was developed as a tool to make monitoring and tracking consumption easier.

Round hay bales loaded on transport trailers.

Haul the Feed or the Cows

Reduction in pasture forage availability may require producers to decide between hauling feed or hauling cows. Learn how to decide which option is best for your operation.

Cattle feeding on supplemental forage distributed on winter range.

Winter Cow Supplementation and Cold Stress

Extreme winter weather makes it challenging to meet a cow’s nutrient requirements. With below-normal temperatures come challenges of ensuring adequate nutrition and protection for livestock, including being prepared to provide additional feed and shelter.

Three cattle feeding on supplemental forage near cornstalks.

Supplementing Cows on Crop Residue

During winter, it is a common practice to have cows graze crop residue. This helps reduce the amount of forage needed to maintain a cow for part of the year, while reducing annual feed costs. However, cows may eventually need supplementation when grazing crop residues.

Hereford calf nursing from mother cow.

Updated Guidelines for Monitoring Colostrum Consumption and Antibody Transfer in Calves

Dairy and beef producers have long understood the importance of colostrum for the short- and long-term health of their calves. Calf health experts have determined the minimum level of serum protein to categorize a calf as having received sufficient colostrum.

Group of mixed calves in a feedlot.

SDSU Extension Opens Registration for 2020-2021 Calf Value Discovery Program

October 14, 2020

SDSU Extension Opens Registration for 2020-2021 Calf Value Discovery Program

A yearling heifer grazes on Canada thistle after a mid-October snowfall.

Plan Now to Control Weeds With Grazing Next Season

Livestock will graze Canada goldenrod, Canada thistle and perennial sow thistle. At certain times of the year, these plants have crude protein, total digestible nutrients, and invitro dry matter digestibility concentrations similar to alfalfa and other common forages.