Easy feeder

[gmoo]

What look does a calf have to be said that he's a "easy feeder"?

 

[librarian]

The way I've heard "good feeder" used, just listening when people are looking at lots of calves,
means a real solid beef type especially with a short head, wide muzzle and broad back.
Mostly it's the opposite of a calf with any dairy in it with a narrow type head and flat sides.
Far as I could tell.

 

[Steve123]

Think, "Fat gene". The ones that get fat on air and cornstalks.

 

[Tallcool1]

Not extremely long bodied, wide head, and a big belly.

 

[Spencer10218]

Not extremely long bodied, wide head, and a big belly.

I have one just like this and he is anhthing but a "easy feeder"

 

[diamonddls]

A term referencing efficiency. Typically thought to be more moderate in frame with lots of body. Although with the right genetics you can get those easy keepers in a more powerful package. Some f1 exotic on British cattle can be very powerful and still easy feeding. I really like our commercial program to have a shot of red Angus in a t with a Maine or sim cross.

 

[vc]

To me it is usually a calf that has some growth to it, a little more frame and less condition. I don't mean height, just a calf that is not a pud. A little looser made as a calf, the kind they always seem to say "oh he'll make a good fat steer". They tend to look greener than the jackpot calves.
This calf was a good feeder, had a stretch of 30 days where he was gaining 4.7 pounds a day on 27 pounds of feed and free choice hay.
He always had an appetite and never seemed to slow down, he weighed 720 the first part of November and 1430 in the picture at the fair in early July.
They don't look finished and big gutted until they should be finished and big gutted.