Background Beef?

Question

What is meant by the term background beef in beef production. As in should these steers be backgrounded or put on the feedlot?

Answer 1

Before weaning, calves are eating grass with momma and nursing.  When calves are weaned, they usually weight 550-750 pounds.  Backgrounding consists of feeding them concentrates (grains) and getting them up to about 1000 pounds, after which they go to a feedlot and concentrates are really poured to them.  Most are slaughtered at around 1300 pounds.

Answer 2

Background beef is taking the calves after they are weaned and putting a little more weight on them before they are sold or put on a feedlot. Some people background their lighter calves and some prefer to background all of the calves. Feedlot buyers like to buy background calves because they take the transition to the feed lot better than just weaned calves.

Answer 3

This would refer to the option of corn feeding or grass feeding beef. Corn fed beef put on more weight faster than grass fed. This can bring in more money at slaughter time, but the cost of the feed is also a factor.

Grass fed beef is now beginning to pay better than before because it is considered healthier by organic food meat eaters. It does require competent pasture management, and also the space to feed fewer animals per acre than grain fed. You can buy grain from farmers who have the land sown with corn, but you have to supply the grass fresh, right from the ground.