what is the difference in meat quality between a Hereford steer and a Jersery steer?
we always had Jersey steers and loved the meat because it was so tender and juicy but with corn prices rising we want soemthing that we be very effient and very good, tender, juicy meat. what other beef cattle have those chararistics. we live in southern part of MN. also, when they get big, 500-600 lb will they need shelter. we do have a cattle shed that is empty now but is enough for about two. it was my grandpas shed the he decided to move on our farm. the shed has a cement floor and wide open door. will they chew and kick the sides of the shed because the shed is all wood, (heavy wood) we want to protect it for as long as we can or should we put fencing around the insides and around the building where they might kick, eat and chew, and rub on the wood.
Herefords will fatten quickly – if you’re used to Jerseys maybe too quickly. There was a study done a while back reported in Countryside magazine of the different breeds for meat quality and taste – the #1 in a taste test was HOLSTEIN. These should be quite inexpensive there in MN – castoffs from dairy operations you may be able to buy direct from the farm.
Another option to reduce grain is get one adapted for grazing – feed plenty of pasture and hay then grain for just the last few weeks. Breeds like the Highland, Galloway take a little longer to finish but are bred to do so on pasture. And Highland beef is said to be the beef of choice of the Royal Family. Both breeds have thick hair so would be better adapted to minimal shelter in cold weather. A couple other options – Charolais, Limousin, Brown Swiss (another dairy breed – originally triple purpose for milk, meat and oxen), Devon and Simmental. These will be larger than the other breeds. All have been used in beef operations and there’s a place in KY I believe that buys Char and Limi specifically for their beef – the burger is almost $5/# and is grass fed without confinement and large amounts of grain. I grew up with Charolais – they’re good cattle that result in good steaks and burger.
If they’re chewing they need something in their diet – cattle shouldn’t chew wood. Now they may rub on it.
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Grady’s in the Silo $9.99 Grady is a Hereford cow who gets herself mysteriously stuck in a silo. What follows is a wonderfully entertaining look into an unexpected situation that needs help from around the world to be solved…. |
