Grass fed continental cattle

[Aglad99]

Curious to try and find other people who are finish continental cattle of grass only diets. It’s seems that a grass based system is becoming the most pushed thing now and we’ve never fed any concentrates to our cattle. Up until 8 years ago we ran pure limos and finished them on grass only. We then started crossing with the Angus for the premium and again finished them but then started selling them as stores. Now that my uncle is retired and I can make my own decisions I’m wanted to go back rot the pure lims but everyone I speak too says that I will never be able to finish them of grass. I also feel that the society is going in the wrong direction with bull beef. I’m curious to here if anyone else is raising continentals of grass only diets? Sorry in advance for any spelling mistakes

 

[Gedd]

One mans finished beast is another mans store beast

 

[dannewhouse]

I would say depends what you call finished, some like a 2 on fat scale, some say a 4- could have done with a tad more.

I can't comment as I'm a heavy corn user and perhaps always towards the 4 rather than 3.

What weight gains do you get from grass only, what age are you finishing and what value do you put on the winters inside?

I know of someone doing similar but giving 3kg for last 10 weeks Charollais all calves are gone just on bringing in time for the second winter.

 

[milkloss]

I'd say to sell them as stores. I'm sure they are finishable on grass but, in our situation, it is far better to let someone buy them and sort a decent and Cost effective finishing ration for them. Saves red tractor bollox too.

 

[Treg]

Curious to try and find other people who are finish continental cattle of grass only diets. It’s seems that a grass based system is becoming the most pushed thing now and we’ve never fed any concentrates to our cattle. Up until 8 years ago we ran pure limos and finished them on grass only. We then started crossing with the Angus for the premium and again finished them but then started selling them as stores. Now that my uncle is retired and I can make my own decisions I’m wanted to go back rot the pure lims but everyone I speak too says that I will never be able to finish them of grass. I also feel that the society is going in the wrong direction with bull beef. I’m curious to here if anyone else is raising continentals of grass only diets? Sorry in advance for any spelling mistakes

Pretty much most breeds will finish on grass , even as a native breed breeder I would say the system makes a bigger difference than the breed.

 

[neilo]

Pretty much most breeds will finish on grass , even as a native breed breeder I would say the system makes a bigger difference than the breed.

And the grass.
There is a vast difference between old twitch grass and well managed young ryegrass/clover leys ime.

 

[tr250]

And age of beast you probably won’t finnish them in 18 months. Our area the welland valley used to be said was the best grazing area in the country but most cattle were over 2 when they came and most would of been 3 or over when fat

 

[Treg]

And the grass.
There is a vast difference between old twitch grass and well managed young ryegrass/clover leys ime.

Yes that's really what I meant about system, types of grass how it's fed, also type of farm and where it is makes a difference.

 

[thorpe]

oh the welland valley , heavy land heavy cattle , lucky boys they dont reseed it because they dont need to.

 

[tr250]

oh the welland valley , heavy land heavy cattle , lucky boys they dont reseed it because they dont need to.

Ironically most of its ploughed up now