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While current beef prices for winter finishing are far from encouraging and forecasts even less so, farmers are right to question everything in relation to their beef finishing business including the future of finishing animals during the winter period.
At the moment there is absolutely no incentive to finish animals during the most expensive part of the year. However, efficiency is still key to a profitable business – and even more important when margins are tight.
If animals are close to finishing at housing, they should be weighed and assessed regularly to determine level of finish.
The cost of laying down fat is far in excess of that of laying down muscle, so it is very important to draft animals as they become fit. Taking a typical finishing ration at €220/tonne and 70DMD silage at €30/tonne, feed costs will be €2.10/day. If a steer at 650kg is gaining 1kg a day indoors at a 55% kill out, with a price of €3.86, it will gross €2.12/day – so high animal performance is key to cover costs and leave a margin.
Assess fat covers
Regular weighing will also help determine whether animals are falling off in terms of weight gain coming close to finish. In the case of steers and heifers, animals should be handled around the tail, rib and loin. Making a note of your assessment and visiting the plant to compare your predictions versus results can be a worthwhile exercise in training your eye.
Assessing fat cover on bulls is a little more difficult, and the areas that should be looked at include the cod area (scrotum should be well filled), the topline or back, the brisket and the flank (area should be soft or well filled).
Diet will affect the fat deposition on an animal. The energy content of the feed and the level of supplementation are critical.
If finishing very heavy animals or out of spec stock, ensure you have spoken to your procurement contact to let them know what you have and when you intend to slaughter them.
Beef finishing tips this winter
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