Instructions
Evaluate your cow for proper health by referring to an expert or taking her to your local veterinarian. If she needs to be wormed or medicated, that should be done right away, as some animal medicines take time to leave the animal's body. Stop milking any dairy cow that you intend to slaughter. Producing milk diverts resources that the cow could be using for adding muscle and fat to her body.
Check your cow's body condition using the charts at Resource 1. Knowing her body condition will help you make better decisions regarding her feeding program.
Pasture-fatten your cow by turning her out in to a lush, green pasture with lots of good grass and as few weeds as is possible. Fortify her with an appropriate mineral/salt combination for your area (check with your extension agent) and ensure she has access to plenty of drinking water.
Alternatively, grain-fatten your cow by confining her to a smaller lot and feeding her a high quality hay and a feed mix containing molasses, grains and minerals. Again, don't forget the water! See Resource 2 for growth-rate tables based on different grain mixes.
How to Get a Cow Ready for Slaughter Once the Calf Is Weaned
Beef is the quintessential American food stuff. Some cattle are bred to be meat creatures, other cattle are culled from dairy herds because of inferior milking genetics. Either way, both genetics and feed will determine how quickly a cow will reach market weight. A cow that has recently weaned a calf will need to pack on some weight in order for her to yield the most meat at slaughter time.