How Livestock Feeding has Changed in last 25 years.

This was a topic of discussion in one of my classes and I thought it was pretty interesting to talk about. The first thing that popped into my head was the changing from a fatter animal to a more lean, high marbling animal. I believe that this is due to the America's perception now a days that everything "fat" is bad and should be avoided. What do you think has changed the most?

Has the feed really changed that much or have the type of cattle changed, I'm sure feed has changed more from new products and grain availability, but as for as protein, fat, roughage and amount needed a day it seems to have stayed close to the same for the past 25 years. Or am I way off?

vc said:

Has the feed really changed that much or have the type of cattle changed, I'm sure feed has changed more from new products and grain availability, but as for as protein, fat, roughage and amount needed a day it seems to have stayed close to the same for the past 25 years. Or am I way off?

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I would agree the cattle have changed far more than the feeds and styles of feeding. As far as feeds changing I would say more advanced rations, mixtures and hormones are available today as oppose to 25 years ago?

The biggest change I see in the way that the industry as a whole feeds cattle is that we are using more by-products as feed stuffs (midds, distillers, etc.) due to increased grain prices.

mccannfarms said:

The biggest change I see in the way that the industry as a whole feeds cattle is that we are using more by-products as feed stuffs (midds, distillers, etc.) due to increased grain prices.

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The by-products were being used 30 years ago.  It depended more on availability of the product.  For instance, brewer's Yeast was common and easy to get in Wisconsin.  Distribution of these products is better and there is a much wider knowledge of the product. 

I see two differences.  One, we either mixed our feed at home with our own mixer adding the desired combination of grain, protein, salt and minerals.  Or we went to the local mill and had them make the same ration with molasses for palatability.

Secondly, the sheer number of feed additives for everything from joint health to growing hair is too much.  We bred for sound animals.  And hair was for show.  Nothing beats hard work, fans, wetting, blowing, brushing...a good daily routine.

Now to ask a stupid question, why has the industry gotten so concerned with big middled  cattle?  I can't think of any high dollar cuts that come from there.  It drops the overall yield, no?  Or have flank steak just become that popular?  Yes capacity is important for a cow to carry her feed well and have room for a calf to develop.  But we were having 85+ lb. calves before.  The cows did well in the WI winters on silage and round bales of hay grown right there on the farm.