Whether selecting a few animals to fill up the freezer for an individual’s family or selling beef direct to consumers, finishing and prepping calves for slaughter is a trend that continues to grow. With the goal of producing a carcass that has an ample yield of tender cuts and is juicy to the palate, proper feeding and management techniques will be essential to meeting expectations. All points considered, finishing rations are all about high energy, especially compared to diets for cows. The higher energy levels allow for the development of marbling to aid in juiciness. Finishing rations are not particularly complicated in that concentrating enough energy is the intent. However, ruminant animals must be closely monitored to prevent health issues, such as reduced ruminal pH and acidosis rising from high-grain rations. Note the management tips below.

• Obtain a slaughter date. It is important to match the animal’s genetics/maturity to determine the proper feeding period. Later maturing genotypes typically require longer finishing periods versus earlier maturing, English breeds. This will dictate the level of performance that must be realized to prevent either under-or-over-finished animals. Many commercial plants schedule slaughter dates as much as a year in advance. 

• Identify what feedstuffs will be available. Fewer days on feed generally means the animals will require more grain than forage. 

• Provide a dry, well-drained pen protected from the wind to improve performance and animal comfort. Wet, drafty conditions will significantly reduce performance.

• Ensure adequate water availability. According to published data from Oklahoma State University, 1,000 lb. steers can consume 14-20 gallons of water per day (depending on temperature). 

• Slowly acclimate cattle to ration changes. Most growing diets are higher forage/fiber rations with lower amounts of starch (grain). Incorporating higher grains into the diet should be gradual over approximately 12-15 days.

• Offer finishing ration to acclimated cattle for free-choice consumption. 

• Observe feed bunks to determine feed consumption adequacy. Cattle should be fed to approximately 2% overage. If cattle are out of feed for more than two hours within a 24-hour period, increase feed volume by one dry matter pound per day.

• Routinely observe cattle for signs of fat deposits, especially as their slaughter date approaches.

Finishing cattle is not an overly burdensome operation. However, providing the optimal ration can depend upon several factors. As the animal grows, overall protein requirement decreases while energy concentration becomes significant. This is due to fat becoming a larger portion of weight gain and carcass composition. Overall average daily gain (ADG) is 

affected by genetics and animal health. 

Generally speaking, the finishing period will be adding approximately 450 lbs. of bodyweight during a 125-day period. Typically, the animal will need to average approximately 3.6 lbs. per day to meet the objective. Under these conditions, the animal will 

need energy concentration of the grain 

mix to be at least 0.585 Mcal NEg (dry matter basis). Your local Co-op has feeds specifically for this phase of beef production along with trained personnel to help 

formulate rations to meet the needs of the finishing program.