Feeding Bulls

[Owain2014]

Looking to feed our stock bull up, we will be selling him in the spring either cull or for breeding. Is it okay to feed him barley?

Thanks

 

[JCMaloney]

Not sure how long it takes but barley fed beef in the meat trade always had a different texture & was darker.
Great flavour but harder to sell being less visually appealing.
Bit of EBLEX blurb http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp/w...growingandfinishingcattleforbetterreturns.pdf

 

[beefandsleep]

Yes of course its ok but check with where ever you will send it regarding weight because if he hangs up heavier than their weight limit they may not pay for the extra and you will have fed him for nothing.

 

[czechmate]

If he is fed up a lot through the winter for cull, then he may be no use for breeding ?

 

[John100]

Sell it now if its in good condition and at a good weight, around 1000kg. LWppkg is very good at the moment

 

[Chae1]

Not sure how long it takes but barley fed beef in the meat trade always had a different texture & was darker.
Great flavour but harder to sell being less visually appealing.
Bit of EBLEX blurb http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp/w...growingandfinishingcattleforbetterreturns.pdf

Surely the majority of finished cattle are fed barley?

 

[Owain2014]

No he's not in great condition really I'd like to get a bit more on him, why won't he be any good for breeding if fed?

 

[JCMaloney]

Surely the majority of finished cattle are fed barley?

Think it depended how long they had been fed and which route they were taking in the trade, fair difference between retail and manufacturing. Almost 10 years since I was in the game and I worked for some "interesting" characters who may not have been playing by the rules at the time!!

 

[fishortcalves]

No he's not in great condition really I'd like to get a bit more on him, why won't he be any good for breeding if fed?

I think he means if he's in too good condition he may not do his job properly for breeding maybe? and may limit who buys him, wouldn't want a huge fat thing on heifers for example?! Barley would be fine for fattening for cull, but I would have said try to mix a ration less intense if you want to sell for breeding.