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RAPP CHATS
Rap Owings
Extension Agent, Agriculture
Sometime I am inclined to wonder, if there isn’t about as much reasoning behindd the changes in beef cattle style as there is in ladies fashions. Last winter, the gals looked cute and cold in their short coats and this winter I understand they will still be cute but warmer in the ankle length style. A few years back the short compact feeder calf made the choice and fancy pens. This fall the longer, stretcher calf will be slapped with the A and AA irons - and some of the compact, shorties will be sent back home.
There is evidently a difference, however, between the fashion world and the beef industry. The cow-calf, and yearling producer cannot set the style, at least not for long. He must ultimately meet the changing demand of the consumer. And, of course, he is the feed lot operator, packer and finally the guy who eats the steaks.
Feed lot operators are keeping better records. They are demanding faster rates of gain, improved feed conversions and higher carcass yields with less fat. Their main complaint about Virginia cattle is that too many of them are very early maturing, and stop gaining at a light weight. All this is associated with the very short legged, compact calf.
Our Virginia State Graders will
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