oksewglad

If a 1200# steer dresses out at 60% that's 180# per quarter. $335 meat, processed etc is $1.86 a pound. I know that's a chunk of change but IMHO, that's very reasonable hamburger, let alone steak. Especially when we just sold steers for that $1.68-that's less than 20cents a pound in processing. It costs me 25 cents just to grind the hamburger let alone other butchering fees. I'd find out about how big the steer is when butchered.

We feed out our steers with corn/soybean meal mix and a little hay for scratch to keep the digestion processes moving. The only additive they are given is Rumensein. Yes it does increase feed efficiency, but it also deters coccidiosis which is a problem on our farm. FYI cocciciosis (carried by birds) is a spirochete that burrows into the animal's stomach. Causes diarhhea in the animal; naturally animal doesn't get any nutritive value from the food it eats and will end up dying of "starvation". We use no other hormones and only antibiotic use if animal is sick ie pneumonia, which for us is uncommon.

mirabelle

GGal they are not in feed lots, this cattle station is 198 square kilometres, which converts to 123 square miles, and is one of the smaller stations in the Territory. This road train of cattle to the sale yards would happen every couple of years.
All freight is transported in the Northern Territory by these road trains.

QuiltingNinaSue

It certainly a different world in farming than what I grew up with; small independent farmers. In fact, my great Aunt put her steer into close quarters the last 10 days and feed him Molasses and brown sugar with grains and hay. It flavored meat, unbelievable well.

QuiltE

MiraB ... now that's some serious "train" ... and when you look at the pics, it's hard not to think of a train!! Incredible.

OKSGlad ... like 2 peas in a pod, that's exactly what started running thru my pea-brain this morning when I read this!!! ♪♪♫♫♪♪ Trivia Bit ... we did some dairy Rumensin trials on our farm!! Our vet left private practice and went with that company to run their Canadian on-farm trials. Being that we had the two breeds, and located close by, we were quickly recruited.

$$$$$$ ... yes the farmer hardly gets his "fair share" ... no matter where in the world!

gardnergal970

...and for the farmers on this thread, I saw one brilliant farmer making haylage last Saturday. Bloom was at the perfect stage. He had done a patch of oats up from the looks of things, too. He has a small beef herd. No action on the beautiful alfalfa to the west of town.

QuiltE

We used to do oatlage or barlage (words?) .... using the grain as a nurse crop for the small seeds, to help keep the weeds under control. Then mid/late June, we'd take the first cut of the two for the silo, then a 2nd cut later on.

Usually our first haylage comes off end of May or first of June ... dry hay to follow. This year? who knows when? So far the hay hasn't jumped much yet, as we haven't had a lot of warmth the last few weeks. Some good rains though this last week, which will help it get growing, so long as we don't get extreme heat (like in March!) So far they're not talking about that!!



And ...... drumrolllllllllllllllllll!!!
Tonight's the night and we get to start this all over again with a new set of blocks!!!
Yeeeehaaaaaaawww!!!!

oksewglad

I just returned from a mega shopping trip. First stop Farm Fleet and filled out the farm order form there. Then onto finding a dress--yeah I did it and new shoes. Now off to KY for the weekend with DD. So no stitiching again tonight. Catch up when I get back.

QuiltE

**s*m*i*l*e*s**
Taking note of the multi-task shopping trip .... farm supplies and dress 'em up clothes!
OKSGlad ... Have a fun weekend with your DD!

carriem

OKSGlad...I think it is so funny we are both from Iowa and going to KY this weekend! The kids (10, 12, and 14) are really excited for the archery tournament. I am not quite as excited for the drive! My dad is going along so it will be nice to spend some time with him.

Hope you all have a great rest of the week...if I get all the packing done early enough tomorrow I might get to sew (haven't done much at all in the last two weeks so kind of going into withdrawal)

Carrie

dublb

Hay Ya'll we got some rain, & they there is more ta come. Prayin' that some of it goes to the lakes!