Beef Cattle Production and Fabrication Yields

A 12-15 months old heifer (or mature cow)

impregnated by a bull or though AI

after a 9 month (280-285 days) gestation period (pregnancy)

creates a 70-100lb calf

6-8 months on a farm with the mother

creates a 500-600lb calf

which is purchased at around $1,000USD

6-8 months in the feedlot

eating 1.5%-2.5% of body weight daily

20-30lbs of feed a day

creates a 1200-1300lb animal.

60%-62% of the animal weight yields a fridge carcass

a carcass weight of 730-820lbs

bones are 20% of the carcasss weight

and 350-400 boneless meat from the carcass

which is 30%-35% of the live animal weight

and the rest is fat trimmings.

30% is Chuck

22% is Round

21% is Loin

11% is Rib

7% is Short Plate

5% is Brisket

3% is Flank

1% is Shank

Beef graded by USDA:

2% is Prime

5% is Choice (moderate)

14% is Choice (modest)

34% is Choice (small)

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Standard

Commercial

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