The Top 10 Most Important Things I’ve Learned About Producing Gourmet Grass-fed/finished Beef

The Top 10 Most Important Things I’ve Learned

About Producing Gourmet Grass-fed/finished Beef

Laurel Hoffman

Use semen from a genetically superior, proven (or better be from proven parents), deep bodied, wide shouldered, robust, high glandular function (testosterone) bull. Applies to either artificial insemination or live cover. You don’t need to sell your existing herd to start over - BUT - As much as possible start with cows that are deep bodied, wide between the front legs that are straight, have a wide muzzle (nose), straight top line, smooth hair coat, large heart girth and calm disposition. If you’re buying cows you need to be more discriminating. Avoid females that are tall, narrow bodied, flighty, or overly bony in any way. Get a good mineral program established that includes copper, selenium, iodine, and a naturally occurring salt. Getting them to regularly consume a clay like Redmond Conditioner for detoxifying will solve a lot of ills whether they’re obvious or not. You may need to spend some money to formulate the best mineral mix for your particular needs, but it will end up costing something if you don’t. Don’t let the mineral box go empty for any length of time. You’ve got to produce good grass for as long a possible each year and this requires managing it with that goal in mind. Pastures need rest to recover and regrow - preferably 21 days minimum. Soils tests are fine but don’t bother if you won’t use the information provided. Most all soils need calcium – lime applications. If you’ve got good abundant microbial, worm, and dung beetle life - do what you need to do to keep it. Don’t manage your cows with grass – but manage the grass with the cows. If you don’t have grass then you can’t have grass-fed beef or milk. Managed grazing is a learning curve, but always be looking at the grass and keeping it healthy and productive. When you can successfully manage and have abundant grass and high animal performance – congratulations – you’re a grass farmer. Now help others do the same. Keep those calves on moms’ milk for 10 months unless mom weans earlier. If the cow goes down hill, let her continue to nourish the calf (supplement one or both if needed) which will most likely be her replacement in the herd. If a cow can’t maintain a pregnancy and nurse a calf through the winter months then consider her a liability, not an asset. Use paternal line bred bulls to build consistency (uniformity) and predictability in your genetics. Crossbreeding has its merits, but understand that each time it’s used in succession you loose control of what you can expect to get in the progeny. Use young bulls sparingly for breeding until they’ve fully developed or risk jeopardizing their future long term performance. If you bring in a bull from a different, climate, management, vegetation scenario expect setbacks from the adaptation process that he WILL go through. If your pastures are primarily tall fescue, you better think about getting a bull that is adapted to tall fescue. Really good grass-fed genetic heifers can get too fat before they’re two and should be breed before they reach that point. Always be learning and enjoying the journey. Learn what works best on your farm with its unique soils, vegetation and your abilities to manage. Be patient, courageous and accountable for the choices/decisions you make. Become an observer to details to the point it becomes second nature. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes but don’t repeat them or blame anyone else for what you choose to do

In my opinion anyone who feeds grain can do a half decent job of raising cattle. Grain is like a fresh coat of pain on an old tractor – it covers up a lot of imperfections and possible problems that you don’t want if grain is out of your equation. Grass-fed is best for all the right reasons.

Keep the faith.