Beef cattle spend at least the first six months of their lives grazing on pasture or rangeland. At around six months of age or older, many cattle are moved to feedlots, or feedyards.
A feedlot is an enclosed pen and/or building where beef cattle are fed until they are ready for market. In a feedlot, cattle are fed special rations or mixtures of grain, forage, and minerals.
Feedlots in our area usually consist of long, large buildings. These buildings are designed for good airflow while keeping cattle dry.
Most feedlot buildings are partially open to the south. In the winter, this allows the sun to shine in. In the summer when the sun is higher, the buildings provide shade.
Feedlots allow farmers to closely monitor animal health as the cattle are “finished,” or raised to market weight.
Read more at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau’s Connections Publication
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