There’s nothing better than grilling on a sizzling summer evening, especially when it involves large, juicy steaks. Most families buy steaks at the grocery store or local butcher shop, but how does the steak get from the field to the plate?
Most beef cattle are born and raised with their mothers until they are about five to seven months elderly. At this point, calves are too large to stay with their mothers and need more nutrients than milk can provide. The calves have a few more months to grow up and then are taken to feed cattle.
Feeding gigantic numbers of cattle became very popular in the 1950s and feedlots began to develop. Many feeding areas have been established in high plains states due to the flat terrain and dehydrated climate. Wisconsin isn’t as widely known for its feeding spots, but there are still a few scattered throughout the state.
When the cattle arrive at the fattening facility, they are all subjected to a health check to ensure they are very vigorous. From the day they arrive, they are checked daily to ensure proper health and care. Many gigantic farms even have their own veterinarian to keep an eye on their cattle.
Feedlot owners have the welfare of the cattle in mind, as a vigorous animal will produce a high-quality beef product. The cattle are fed a very balanced diet; approximately 80% of their diet is based on cereals and the remaining 20% is forage. This provides the cattle with the energy they need to grow and produces delicious beef that consumers can enjoy on the plate.
To ensure the effectiveness of the diet, cattle are weighed frequently. If their weight is not correct, their diet is adjusted to maintain beef production efficiency. Once cattle reach a certain age and weight, they are harvested to bring a high-quality beef product to your table. In total, cattle spend about six months in the barn from the time they arrive until they leave.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has strict Rules and regulations to ensure the safety of cattle on feedlots. Feed yard owners and workers must follow these rules to ensure that cattle are handled with the utmost care and placed in the appropriate size lot. They always have plenty of room to move, eat and grow. Due to their natural herd instincts, cattle feel unthreatening in gigantic groups, which helps them grow and thrive.
While there are many ways to get beef from farm to fork, feedlots provide the most competent way to feed the world’s population. It can be a complicated process, but farmers strive to provide you with high-quality beef for your next meal.
