Feeder cattle
Feeder Cattle
Feeder cattle (pronunciation: /ˈfiːdər ˈkætəl/) are young cattle that are raised primarily for the purpose of being fattened for beef production.
Etymology
The term "feeder cattle" comes from the practice of "feeding" the cattle in a feedlot to prepare them for slaughter. The word "cattle" is derived from the Old French word "chatel," which meant all kinds of movable personal property, including livestock, which was differentiated from immovable real estate ("real property").
Description
Feeder cattle are typically steers (castrated males) or heifers (females who have not yet had a calf) that are mature enough to be placed in a feedlot where they will be fattened prior to slaughter. The age of feeder cattle can range from a few months to a year, depending on the weight and overall health of the animal.
Feeder cattle are distinct from stocker cattle, which are typically younger and lighter weight cattle that are grazed on pasture until they are heavy enough to be classified as feeder cattle.
Related Terms
- Beef Cattle: Cattle raised for meat production. Feeder cattle are a subset of beef cattle.
- Feedlot: A type of animal feeding operation (AFO) which is used in factory farming for finishing livestock, notably beef cattle, but also swine, horses, sheep, turkeys, chickens or ducks, prior to slaughter.
- Stocker Cattle: Young cattle that are grazed on pasture until they reach a weight suitable for placement in a feedlot.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Feeder cattle
- Wikipedia's article - Feeder cattle
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