Backgrounding

Knowledge Nuggets

• Recognize the need for different types of backgrounding systems, since cattle type, available feed resources and marketing opportunities vary.

• All choices must ultimately answer to the beef grading system and the allowances for carcass size at slaughter.

• Preconditioning is a term used to describe a 30 to 45 day backgrounding program which prepares calves to enter a feedlot at another location. Preconditioning programs serve to identify calves that receive a recognized vaccination and weaning program to prepare the calves for the feedlot industry.

• Wintering calves consists of backgrounding which involves using forage to grow calves slowly (0.5 to 1.5 lbs ADG) through the winter. In many cases, this system is used to prepare calves for pasture the following summer as yearlings.

• Growing calves is a system of backgrounding which generally involves a mixture of grains and forages to achieve growth rates between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds per day. In many cases the producer's goal is to utilize relatively inexpensive feeds.

• Fast-track systems strive to push the cattle as fast as possible with typical finishing rations. Gains should be 3 pounds per day or more. This system works best with large-framed exotic or exotic cross cattle which, if placed in a program where gains were lower, would finish at a weight too large for industry standards.

• Small framed cattle are best grown out over a long time as their finishing time is relatively short. Once they have grown the appropriate amount, the cattle can then be put on full feed to acquire the necessary finish for harvest standards.

• Moderate framed exotic and British breed cattle benefit from a faster rate of growth to accomplish the necessary frame before finishing. Because of their larger frame size they can tolerate higher levels of grain in their ration without becoming to fat to soon.

• Large framed cattle must be fed on a fast-track program to get enough finish to achieve suitable grades. Long feeding periods result in cattle that become too large and are discounted because of overweight carcasses.

• Replacement heifers are placed on a growing ration to obtain growth rates of 1.5 to 1.75 pounds per day depending on their genetics. Growth rates higher than this can reduce milk production capability and possibly cause feet problems when they get older.