The Beef Industry Animal Agriculture

Student Objectives in Basic Science Explain the importance of beef in the human diet. Explain how the environment helps determine where animals are produced. Define ecological balance. Describe how cattle make use of feedstuff that cannot be consumed by humans.

Student Objectives in Agri. Science Specify the per-capita consumption of products from beef animals grown in the United States. Explain the importance of the beef industry to the economy of the United States. Justify the use of agricultural land to produce beef. Describe the various segments of the beef industry.

Why American Beef? Americans are a nation of beef eaters. The average person consumes 67.5 pounds of beef & veal Over 6% of our grocery sales is beef. Yearly exports of beef and beef products total $2.5 Billion! Lean beef is very dense in nutrients, such as Vitamin B12, Riboflavin, Protein, Phosphorus, Vitamin A, etc. Few nations come close to our per-capita consumption of beef and other meats. This is a sign of American prosperity!

U.S. Beef Industry History Throughout the history of our economy, the beef industry has played a huge role in developing it into its current form. Cattle have been in the New World as long as European settlers. They were first used as a food source for the family! As the population became more urbanized, farmers began to produce for the paying consumer. The large, grassy areas of the American West became a natural place to raise cattle.

U.S. Beef Industry Today Currently, more than 97,000,000 head of beef on about 800,000 farms and ranches in the United States. These numbers far exceed any other segment of animal agriculture – the largest segment in all of U.S. agriculture. Annually, the U.S. produces 25% of the world’s beef with less than 10% of the world’s cattle. It’s a $66B industry!

Advantages of U.S. Beef Production The Western part of the U.S. is ideal for beef production, due to the vast areas of land used for cattle grazing. Throughout the Midwest, millions of acres of corn are grown on the most productive land in the world. Producers in the American South take advantage of the mild climate to produce grass and hay to feed their cattle.

The U.S. vs. The World Compared to the rest of the world, Americans spend the least amount of their annual income on food. This means we can afford what ever food we prefer… Critics argue that instead of feeding cattle grain, we could feed people with that grain. Producers counter by showing that grazing land would go unused if it wasn’t for beef production. Almost 50% of U.S. acres is land not fit for crops, but for cattle, this acreage is fine for grazing!

The U.S. vs. The World Furthermore, grains used to fatten up cattle are not considered good for human consumption. There is a difference between field corn and sweet corn! Only the best quality corn is used in human food production. The rest… goes to livestock!

The U.S. vs. The World Beef animals make use of leftovers in the cooking oil industry. Grain is crushed for oil, then rest is fed as feed! By-Products from the sugar industry is used the same way! Without livestock, these leftovers would be waste! Beef also produces non-meat products, such as leather for shoes, sports and clothing, as well as medicines!

Types of Beef Veal –150 pound/3 month old calves. Meat is pale pink in color, contains more cholesterol and is very tender. Baby Beef – 700 pound calves. Meat cuts are light red, smaller than regular beef, and contain less fat. Vitamin A. Grain Fed – America’s #1 Beef. 3 ½ year old, 1000 pound animals, fed high-concentrate feeds before slaughter.

Types of Beef Grass Fed - less fat than grain fed, but yet confirmed healthier. More expensive due to seasons and finish time. Natural – no artificial flavors, colors, chemicals, or hormones. Never given antibiotics or man-made feed. Organic – raised only on organic-certified feeds.

Beef Industry Segments There are four major segments of the beef industry… Purebred Operations Cow-Calf Operations Stocker Operations Feedlot Operations

Purebred Operations The first stage of the beef industry produces the animals that will be used as dams and sires. Cattle used for genetics are known as Seed Stock Cattle. They spend their lives producing genetics for calves that will be grown out for market. These operations range from family- run farms to multi-million dollar companies.

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Purebred Operations Different breeds have different advantages… Knowing this allows purebred breeders to concentrate on improving the advantages of a particular breed. Purebreds are always being “tweaked” as economic conditions change and new research reveals new insights into what an animal should be selected for. One of several reasons why purebreds compete in numerous shows across the country – to be judged to find the “best type” for that breed.

Cow-Calf Operations Cow-Calf Operations produce calves that will be eventually grown out and sent to market. Most of these calves are crossbred animals from purebred parents of different breeds – to mix the advantages of one breed with that of another. A large part of this industry is in the South & West US. The mild Southern winters are ideal for calving in the winter. Most southern calves are born in Jan or Feb.

Cow-Calf Operations Not only is this a time to fly & parasite free, but calves will be old enough to graze right away in the spring. With plenty of rain and ample temperatures, there is more than enough roughage (grass & hay) for cows & calves. Most of the South has converted from cropland to pasture and forest, due to erosion.

Cow-Calf Operations Producers in the American West take advantage of the vast amounts of government lands that are open to grazing. Often, cows are allowed to free range (no fence) and have their calves – then are rounded up, sorted and sold. Calves are usually sold after weaning – 300 and 500 pounds. Buyers prefer calves that have been castrated and vaccinated.

Stocker Operations Stocker operations provide a step between weaning of the calves and their finishing (fattening) before slaughter. For proper marbling, animals must mature enough to stop growing and start depositing fat in the right places. Weaned calves between pounds are typically placed on pasture and fed rations to allow proper skeletal and muscular growth.

Stocker Operations The stocker’s responsibility is to provide a smooth transition period between cow-calf and feeder stages. Feeding “teenage” cattle a high roughage diet, balanced with protein, carbs, vitamins, and minerals, helps in this transition. A good diet will make good looking cattle. It is not uncommon for feedlot owners to also own stocker operations, as to reduce transportation costs and reduce production time. Some feedlots prefer weaned cattle at 700 pounds, as to skip the stocker operation all together and go straight to the feedlot.

Feedlot Operations The final phase of the industry before the slaughterhouse. Cattle are fed a high-concentrate ration designed to put on the proper amount of fat cover. This fat cover gives your steak it’s marbling, or intramuscular fat – as well as the fats around the steak. Feedlot operators want their cattle to be marketed when the cattle reach a sufficient fat cover to grade low Choice.

Beef Grades Prime – highest quality, limited supply. Only 2.9% of cattle. Choice – slightly less fat, but in larger supply. Over 50%. Select – lowest grade commonly sold at the retail level. Standard – lower quality, lacks marbling. Commercial – low quality, lacks tenderness. From older cattle. Utility, Cutter, Canner – processed and canned meats.

Feedlot Operations Many feedlots are located in the Midwest, as to have easy access to grain (less shipping, more profit) Texas; however, remains the number one feedlot state. Some feedlots take advantage of byproduct feeds. Idaho – potato pulp Florida – citrus pulp Central WI – distiller’s grain from ACE & Leinie’s

Feedlot Operations Feedlots range in size from hundreds to hundreds of thousands. Modern technology has allowed lots to grow. Automated feeders, water systems, medical needs. When cattle are ready for market, they are shipped generally around months of age and pounds in weight.

Sire Breeds vs. Dam Breeds Sire Breeds Traits are characteristics of bulls rather than cows. Examples: Gain, Fertility, Tenderness, Marbling Dam Breeds Traits are characteristics of cows rather than bulls. Examples: Milk Production, Maternity, Temperment

Student Learning Activity From each beef breed group, choose one breed… British: Angus, Hereford, Shorthorn Exotic: Charolais, Chianina, Limousin, Simmential Zebu: Brahman American: Barzona, Braford, Beefmaster, Brangus, Santa Gertrudis Find a color photo of each, using an online search engine.

Student Learning Activity For each of the four breeds you picked out, provide… The history of the breed (year and location of origination) Why it was developed (for this or that reason) Characteristics of the breed (color, poll, meat, etc.) Other notes regarding breed (temperament, etc.) Assemble your work on MS Word, PowerPoint Dropbox or Print

Summary Beef represents a large part of our diet, and thus, our economy and our agricultural industry. Beef contains nutrients that are hard to come by in other foods, allowing a need to continue to eat beef. Many phases of the beef industry provide jobs for millions – making it a dynamic, growing sector of our country and will remain so for years to come.