Introduction
The age at which cattle are slaughtered can significantly impact economic profits in beef production. This relationship is influenced by various factors including carcass traits, feed consumption, and overall production costs. Understanding the optimal slaughter age is crucial for maximizing profitability in cattle farming.
Key Insights
-
Optimal Slaughter Age for Economic Profit:
- For Hanwoo steers, the optimal slaughter age to maximize income is around 28 to 31 months. Slaughtering beyond this age can lead to decreased profits due to increased feeding costs and diminishing returns on carcass quality .
- For Aubrac breed steers, slaughtering at 18 to 20 months yields higher profitability compared to earlier slaughter at 15 months, which is unprofitable.
-
Carcass Traits and Quality:
- Carcass weight and marbling score are positively correlated with slaughter age, but the relationship weakens after a certain point. For Hanwoo cattle, the marbling score and rib-eye area improve with age up to 31 months, enhancing economic returns .
- Backfat thickness negatively impacts economic returns, suggesting that while older cattle may have better marbling, excessive fat can reduce profitability.
-
Feed Consumption and Costs:
- Older cattle consume significantly more feed, which increases production costs. For example, Aubrac steers reared to 18 and 20 months consume much more hay, haylage, and concentrated feed compared to those slaughtered at 15 months.
- The increased feed consumption must be balanced against the potential gains in carcass weight and quality to determine the most profitable slaughter age.
-
Impact of Cow Size and Age:
- In cow-calf production systems, heavier cows tend to produce calves that contribute more positively to profit when marketed at slaughter. Conversely, lighter dams are more profitable when calves are sold at weaning or as yearlings.
- Younger dams contribute more to profit if cattle are marketed on a hot carcass basis, whereas more mature dams are favored in grid pricing systems.
Conclusion
The optimal age for slaughtering cattle to maximize economic profits varies by breed and production system. For Hanwoo steers, the ideal age is around 28 to 31 months, while for Aubrac steers, it is 18 to 20 months. Factors such as carcass traits, feed consumption, and cow size and age play significant roles in determining profitability. Balancing these factors is essential for achieving the highest economic returns in beef production.