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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Booneville, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #114299
Title: RESEARCH NEEDS FOR THE VERTICAL INTEGRATION OF CATTLE PRODUCTION

Author
item Aiken, Glen
item Brauer, David

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Meetings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/22/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Many cattle producers are vertically integrating their operations from cow-calf, stocker, to feeder. Retained ownership reduces the marketing chain of cattle production and provides an option in taking advantage of a marketing system that is becoming more value-based. Relationships that animal and pasture management have with feedlot performance and ultimate carcass quality and cutability must be determined to fully realize the profit potential of retained ownership. Specific research is therefore needed that encompasses both pasture backgrounding and feedlot finishing phases of beef cattle production. This research will further need to determine body condition and/or composition responses to grazing treatments and measure carcass quality and yield. The coupling of grazing and feedlot research will likely provide recommendations for developing sustainable management practices of pastures for maximizing profit potential of retained ownership.