Beef

How did that beef get on your plate? Beef production begins with a cow-calf producer, they maintain a breeding herd of cows that raise calves every year. When a calf is born, it weighs 60-100 pounds. Beef calves are weaned at six to 10 months of age, when they weigh 450-700 pounds they are auctioned off and sent to a feedlot. Most beef cattle spend approximately four to six months in a feedlot where they are fed a grain-based diet, a small percentage are sent from the feedlot to graze for a couple of months before processing, these are the grass fed cattle. Once cattle reach 1,200-1,400 pounds and 18-22 months of age—they are sent to a processing facility. From the processing plants the beef is distributed to stores and restaurants. US beef statistics for 2008: 27.3 billion pounds consumed, $76 billion retail value.