Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
4
is a fat animal. All bones are covered with fat, and the area around the pin and hook bones
is flat. Cows or heifers that score above 4 could have calving difficulties.
5
is obese. There are fat folds covering all bones and the tail head.
Knowing When an Animal Is Ready for Slaughter
Determining when an animal is finished can be tricky. Producers with scales can set an ideal
target weight and use a portable scale to weigh their animals occasionally to see how they are
progressing. If you do not have a scale, you might be able to determine visually when an an-
imal is finished. Smaller-framed animals that gain weight quickly might not need to be very
heavy, but experienced farmers get good at telling which animals are ready for slaughter.
Look at areas of the body where fat is especially visible, such as the rump, sides, and back.
For example, a fat, fully finished animal will have a rounded rump around the base of the tail
head, flat, smooth sides with no indentations, and a flat back. Also, check out the brisket area
between the front legs — if these sections are getting fat, the animal is probably getting close
to finishing.
Completing the Life Cycle
A healthy beef cow can stay productive at least 12 years and often 15, 18 or even more. Some
experts would recommend selling after age 12 because after this, the odds go up that the cow
will die on the farm, and you might not be able to butcher it for hamburger or sell it to
someone else who will turn it into hamburger (the price you receive for selling an older or un-
productive animal is called salvage value).
Most bulls are used for about four or five years before they are sold. After this, the chances of
reduced fertility increase. If you have a bull that you really like, you may feel it is worth the
risk of decreased fertility to keep him longer than four or five years. This will depend mostly
on if he is still impregnating a high percentage of cows. If he still seems viable, you can try to
keep him another year. If conception rates seem to be dropping, or if it seems as though his li-
bido is decreasing, it may be time to get rid of him. You can also have a vet give him a sound-
ness exam a couple of months before the breeding season to make sure he is still up to the job.
It is normal for farmers to feel sadness when taking their cattle to slaughter. Farmers spend
lots of time with their herd, and they often form a bond with their animals, which come to
trust and depend on the farmer for food. Many farmers often become affectionate toward an-
