Beef Finishing Systems

Taking cattle to finish can be one of the most expensive periods in the beef production system, with feed conversion efficiency reducing as cattle gain liveweight approaching slaughter weight. This means that cattle require a higher level of feed input in order to achieve weight gain and fat cover during finishing. The finishing period will typically begin when cattle reach around 450kg liveweight. At this point, protein demands start to decrease as cattle have already achieved most of their frame growth, and energy density of the ration can be increased to promote fat deposition. Due to its vast differences in climate and topography the UK offers a wide range of systems from fully grass and forage-based to ad lib cereal and straw-based systems and everything in between. This video discusses those systems and considerations you may need to make when deciding which finishing system suits your business and cattle best.