CALGARY – With proper management and a change of philosophy, more grass-fed cattle could achieve weight gains comparable to those in feedlots, says an Agriculture Canada research scientist.
Pasture seeded to a high percentage of alfalfa can lead to significant cattle weight gains, said Brandon researcher Paul McCaughey at the Alberta Forage Council meeting in Calgary.
“In the system of beef production we have now, there’s really not a lot of room to graze yearling cattle on pasture because of the economics. The feedlots want 900-pound steers and there’s not a lot of room to move.”
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Before the Second World War, most North American farmers fed their cattle to slaughter weight on grass. But when cheap grain was available and large feedlots became economical, many producers made the switch.
Feedlots losing money
“In my opinion the pendulum is going to swing back,” McCaughey said. Feedlots carry risk and have a fairly high cost of production. In downward price conditions, like those this fall, some feedlots are losing $150 per head, he said.
A wholesale change in the Canadian cattle industry could make it economical to keep animals on pasture, said McCaughey, subjecting animals to less movement, fewer owners, less disease and stress.
From his research, McCaughey concludes grass-fed cattle would cost 17 cents per pound of gain compared to 55 cents per pound in a feedyard, if producers can get 500 pounds of meat per acre.
On pasture, animals generally gain about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds per day but in an high-percentage alfalfa field, research shows average daily gains of three pounds are possible. In spring when grass is lush, potential gain is five pounds per day.
“The emphasis has to be on intensive, high-level production.”
McCaughey said Manitoba could handle another 155,000 head if forages were sown on 25 percent of the poorer quality land that is now growing grain.
He has been running trials in pastures predominantly seeded to alfalfa and meadow brome grass. High rates of gain have been achieved while recharging the soil with legumes and manure disposal.
He outlined findings gathered in Manitoba since 1991, in which yearlings were put on alfalfa pastures. Another study using cow/calf pairs will start this spring.
Paddocks were set up using rotational and continuous grazing systems with a stocking rate of .86 steers per acre.
Another test involved .43 steers per acre to provide comparison.
Pasture regrowth was monitored, as well as the kind of meat yielded. Proper rotations and stocking rates are the key. McCaughey’s research found gain per animal was 10 percent higher on a rotational system.
In alfalfa trials, all the animals were implanted with growth hormones, received bloat guard treatments and the usual vaccinations.
Information from the Brandon research can be applied to other parts of the prairies, said McCaughey, because soil and weather conditions are similar.
Following the Brandon trials each year, animals are slaughtered and the carcasses examined. Although data is still being analyzed, palatability tests showed the meat from all three test groups is acceptable.
Those going straight from pasture to slaughter made the A grade with no less than a 57 percent lean meat yield. No yellow fat was detected. Carcasses had enough external fat but marbling was lower.
A second group was put on a grain ration for 30 days after leaving the pasture and all graded at least A.
A third group went on grain for 75 days, and yielded more marbled carcasses. McCaughey said test results were affected because animals went through a cold spell and probably ingested the grain as extra energy rather than putting on condition.
