Your own beef-how'd it taste? UPDATE post 139

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=TBROCKS;7703849]
You really don’t need to preach the use and effects of antibiotics to me. I’m legal to prescribe them. And I prescribe them judiciously, for conditions that warrant them. Because as me and all my colleagues are aware, overuse contributes to microbe resistance.[/QUOTE]

It is “my colleagues and I”, I think, but don’t hold me to it, I am not that conversant in English.

If you are aware of what antibiotics are and why and how to use them in animal husbandry, you should know what I am talking about, what is your beef then?
If you are not, read the links provided, they can explain this better than I can.

I sure hope that if your animals get sick you go ahead and consult with your vet and use antibiotics if that is indicated, not just let it suffer because you are afraid using antibiotics will cause resistances.

[TBROCKS]

This is NOT about treating sick animals. This is about YOUR insistence that giving antibiotics to NON-SICK animals is a benign practice.
Oh, and thanks for the grammar lesson, because we all know those type of bitchy comments never look obnoxious and will in fact help prove a point :yes:.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=TBROCKS;7703896]
This is NOT about treating sick animals. This is about YOUR insistence that giving antibiotics to NON-SICK animals is a benign practice.
Oh, and thanks for the grammar lesson, because we all know those type of bitchy comments never look obnoxious and will in fact help prove a point :yes:.[/QUOTE]

No, the talk has been about the different kind and uses of antibiotics and understanding resistance in general.
Without understanding that, without a good perspective of this whole topic, now picking out one part of it doesn’t do but confuse the larger issue here.

As I have stated before, this is a multi-faceted topic.

[CrazyGuineaPigLady]

[QUOTE=Bluey;7703808]
“Improper use”?

OF COURSE that is not acceptable, you will be fined and go to jail if you misuse antibiotics.[/QUOTE]

For me, improper use is:

Confining animals in small areas --> so that you can feed an unnatural diet to add weight --> then using routine antibiotics to compensate for those things. The legality of it doesn’t matter one iota to me.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t toss aside my own pasture raised animal who needed antibiotics for legitimate reasons during some part of its life.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=CrazyGuineaPigLady;7703907]
For me, improper use is:

Confining animals in small areas --> so that you can feed an unnatural diet to add weight --> then using routine antibiotics to compensate for those things. The legality of it doesn’t matter one iota to me.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t toss aside my own pasture raised animal who needed antibiotics for legitimate reasons during some part of its life.[/QUOTE]

Then, you do live in a world that is as it is because someone figured how to do just that, so there is considerably more meat out there from fewer animals, that in the case of beef, I guarantee you, are not only not harmed, but for the stage of their life some of them are finished for some months on grain rations, are in cattle heaven.
Don’t believe me?
Open the gates and watch those cattle you think are so mistreated stay in their pens, happy there, eating wonderfully balanced and extremely palatable rations, the best friends around and health care as needed.
They vote with their feet and if you know cattle, you can see that they are contented there, for the cattle they are.

We should not anthropomorphize too much to what we would like to what another species truly likes.

Neo-neo luddites are amazing in how they find fault with so much others do that makes life better for all, while enjoying the life that provides for them.
It is called biting the hand that feeds you.
And no, it is not at the cost of another species quality of life.

Any one alive in this planet is using resources that others may use if we were not alive and we have to realize that is ok, is the way the world works.

While there is plenty that is not right with this world, this one instance, beef cattle raised on grass and being finished on grain rations is not one of those, for the large benefits acquired from it.

[GoodTimes]

I didn’t read all of the posts but every year my Dad and I head to the auction in April, pick up 3-5 400lb steers, raise them on the extra 15 acre field that the horses aren’t on that year, and in the fall we slaughter one or two on site (no stress) and ship the rest to auction.
We feed them about a half to one pound of finisher every day or two so that they stay friendly.

I love the beef, but I’m someone who prefers lean, thinner cuts, cooked medium well. We have our own meat grinder so about half the ground beef gets seasoned as italian or bratwurst.

The hands down worst beef I’ve ever had was bought by a friend of mine from a farmer down the road from us. His fields are very similar to ours, but he doesn’t slaughter them until Nov-Dec, so instead of finishing out on nice grass and treats like ours, they finish out on dead grass, hay, and leaves back in the bush.

It all really depends on what kind of beef YOU prefer. If you like lean beef then you’ll probably enjoy beef that was finished primarily on grass, possibly supplemented with small amounts of finisher.
If you’re someone who is only satisfied with a big, juicy, marbled steak then you should probably lean toward finishing like a commercial producer.

[GoodTimes]

Anddd I just saw that once again Bluey has completely derailed an ag topic…

[cowboymom]

Well, we all know that cows are fully qualified to make their own health care decisions… :yes:

Anthropomorphize, indeed.

[TBROCKS]

Thank you Good Times. Great info. I’m hoping this meat tastes good, because I’d like to make raising our own beef a practice. Mine are on grass, so we only just started feeding some corn and molasses to finish them (recommended by the slaughter guy). He’ll be coming out the first week in September. We planned it so that they’ll have grass right up to the end. I might have some more questions for you since your situation sounds close to ours!

[wireweiners]

Just curious, TBrocks, what does your corn and molasses feed look like? Is this something you’re mixing yourself or are you buying it from a feed store or mill? I’m just asking because I have never heard of a beef ration of just corn and molasses. Is the corn cracked or ground?

[CrazyGuineaPigLady]

[QUOTE=Bluey;7703926]
…I guarantee you, are not only not harmed, but for the stage of their life some of them are finished for some months on grain rations, are in cattle heaven.
Don’t believe me?
Open the gates and watch those cattle you think are so mistreated stay in their pens, happy there, …[/QUOTE]

The same could be said if I stuck my kids in a fully stocked 7-11 and left the door open. No reason to leave. But if the shelves were empty, they’d head down the road to Saladworks.

While I may not be an expert on cattle behavior, I do know that all living things stay close to an easy food source.

[Lilly]

Oh lord Bluey you always ruin these threads with your ridiculous non-thoughts. (Long time lurker before registering.)

[SGray]

[QUOTE=Bluey;7702971]
What kind of slaughter plant was that?
Where were the inspectors?

That is why people should always be sure they use properly run and inspected facilities, so they use proper standard procedures and have someone seeing that it is done right.

Blaming all because someone is not doing things right there is like saying all horse trainers abuse their horses because, see, this one did.[/QUOTE]

some object to this
http://www.businessinsider.com/mishka-henners-photos-of-american-feedlots-2014-8
result of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

[SGray]

[QUOTE=Bluey;7703074]
Antibiotics is a class of chemicals, not all are used to treat disease, some are used as supplements, just as any mineral or vitamin are.
Those are used by some producers at certain times because they promote more muscle, less fat and better use of what food the animal eats, by a good 10%.
So, you add that supplement for a certain period to the ration and it benefits all, giving everyone, including the consumer, more, leaner and cheaper beef than if it was not used.

All that has been studied over decades now and is regulated.
All that goes in rations is something that nutritionists balance carefully, has been extensively tested and they are responsible for it’s proper use.[/QUOTE]

Elanco (produces rumensin) website
http://www.elanco.us/products-services/beef/rumensin-f/
states

Since 1976, cattle producers have relied on Rumensin to improve feed efficiency and prevent and control coccidiosis. And for 35 years, Rumensin has demonstrated proven results and continuous innovation, adding more profit potential to the bottom line.
Rumensin is a cost-effective feed additive that improves feed efficiency by providing more energy from the ration.[SUP]1[/SUP] Research demonstrates that Rumensin improves feed efficiency by 4 percent and provides a net return of $23.13/hd.[SUP]2[/SUP]
For the prevention and control of coccidiosis, Rumensin is the most potent feed ingredient available[SUP]3[/SUP] that kills coccidiosis parasites at three different stages in the life cycle instead of merely slowing their development.[SUP]4[/SUP] It’s more efficacious at lower doses compared to other ionophores.[SUP]3[/SUP]

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=SGray;7704360]
Elanco (produces rumensin) website
http://www.elanco.us/products-services/beef/rumensin-f/
states

Since 1976, cattle producers have relied on Rumensin to improve feed efficiency and prevent and control coccidiosis. And for 35 years, Rumensin has demonstrated proven results and continuous innovation, adding more profit potential to the bottom line.
Rumensin is a cost-effective feed additive that improves feed efficiency by providing more energy from the ration.[SUP]1[/SUP] Research demonstrates that Rumensin improves feed efficiency by 4 percent and provides a net return of $23.13/hd.[SUP]2[/SUP]
For the prevention and control of coccidiosis, Rumensin is the most potent feed ingredient available[SUP]3[/SUP] that kills coccidiosis parasites at three different stages in the life cycle instead of merely slowing their development.[SUP]4[/SUP] It’s more efficacious at lower doses compared to other ionophores.[SUP]3[/SUP][/QUOTE]

Yes, ionophores are a different kind than standard antibiotics.
Rumensin is a coccidiostat and I think used as such in poultry, but is used as a supplement for cattle, that it can work as a coccidiostat being a bonus effect.
If you have a calf with coccidiosis, you treat it with a different product, Corid (amprolium), not rumensin.

[PhoenixFarm]

Ya know, every time I post on the menagerie I’m sorry.

I don’t like fatty meats. Sorry. I prefer chicken breasts to thighs, grass fed to grain fed beef, and usually don’t eat pork or lamb, cuz it’s too fatty.

Wireweiners I’m not sure why the snark or that you seem to think I’m lying or stupid. I leave all fat possible on my plate, and prefer my meat as lean as possible. Since my my mother tells me I’ve done this since I was a small child, I’m going to assume I’m not simply an idiot falling for marketing hype, but that I, in fact, prefer leaner meats. Go figure.

What an absurdly exhausting thread. OP I hope your meat tastes awesome!

[PaintPony]

[QUOTE=GoodTimes;7704031]
Anddd I just saw that once again Bluey has completely derailed an ag topic…[/QUOTE]

It happens EVERY time without fail. I have seen this argument on the boards more times then I can count! Still beating the proverbial dead cow…

[TBROCKS]

All I wanted to know was if home grown grass-fed beef tastes good

[LauraKY]

[QUOTE=TBROCKS;7704536]
All I wanted to know was if home grown grass-fed beef tastes good [/QUOTE]

Yes.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=TBROCKS;7704536]
All I wanted to know was if home grown grass-fed beef tastes good [/QUOTE]

I guess you won’t find out now, if you are feeding some grain.
Feeding some grain is a great idea, will help the meat quality, especially if those are older animals by now and so considerably tougher.

Here, many that only fed a couple of steers at home use a regular feed similar to sweet feed that is made just for that, but they are careful not to wait until they are too old to do that.

Then, yours may not be that old or heavy yet, that would be a plus.