Loads of cattle

Out here, a feedlot feeds pot loads of cattle.

What percent choice range is reasonable to obtain?

A pot load is about 50-55 head at 900-950lbs ea.

Need a little more info. Like breed or type of cattle, finished weight, days on feed .

REM said:

Need a little more info. Like breed or type of cattle, finished weight, days on feed .

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100-120 days on feed
Finished weight 1250-1300
Any breed

Mixed breed, but about 70% black, Results were 33/55choice (3 prime, 1no roll, rest good)from mothers that were purchased as potentially bred at sale yard, and others using bulls purchased from people done with them on same type of cows from year before.  Basically trying to keep the purchase price as low as possible while not trying to top the market either with only intent maximizing margin as opposed to trying to by the "best" where premiums are imposed at every level.  the "trick" obviously is maintaining margin and the lower feedlot performance doesnt exceed the premium of better cattle.  Yes, i realize those three primes drove up the premium a lot. 

From what I have been around if the British influence is over 50% then figure about 80% choice. 

Any Holstein that ever smelled corn will grade choice.

Wouldn't the price of corn be a major factor.....or not. Seems like 2 dollar corn would be used harder in rations than say 6 dollar corn.....although seems like feedstuffs kind of follow corn and vice versa.

hamburgman said:

Any Holstein that ever smelled corn will grade choice.

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Shhhh don't tell em

-XBAR- said:

hamburgman said:

Any Holstein that ever smelled corn will grade choice.

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Shhhh don't tell em

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known fact for decades. longhorns will also marble, but their retail cuts are so small, their carcass is only acceptable in niche markets that cater to recovering vegans (those converting back to being an omnivore). it's one of the reasons less muscle means more percent marbling if the marbling percentage stays the same from a regulation point.  it's also, if marbling stays the same, but there is more muscle, there will be less percent marbling.

love them or hate them, GAR, through constant selection, will at some point, distill increased marbling while holding muscle steady and eliminate once putative markers.  they will do this with the aid of genomics companies for a win win as the company will get better, closer, or linked or whatever markers, while GAR will get the genetics.  it will be interesting what the expression distills down to, actual snps, or some other mechanism.

I'd better pass ,this is a very informative post and if your hunting for some answers ,add two and two ....

Freddy said:

I'd better pass ,this is a very informative post and if your hunting for some answers ,add two and two ....

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Good answer.  Been doing lots of adding. Buying pregs at open prices saves more than preg prices.