These are young steers and heifers, typically weighing between 600 and 800 pounds, that have spent their early months grazing on pasture. They are purchased by feedlots where they transition to a high-energy grain diet to quickly add marbling and muscle mass before slaughter. Their price heavily dictates the profit margins for both cow-calf operations and feedlot owners.
The auction prices for heavy feeder cattle dropped this week because corn prices went through the roof.
Also heard as
- feeders
Related terms
Fed cattle
Steers and heifers that have been fattened on a high-energy grain diet and are ready for slaughter.
Stocker
A weaned calf that is grazed on pasture to add weight before entering a feedlot.
livestock unit
A standardized metric used to compare the feed requirements of different farm animals.
Roughage
Fibrous, bulky animal feed such as hay, straw, or pasture grass.