How to Raise a Calf for Meat

Raising a calf for meat can allow you to get the qualities you want in your beef. You can raise the calf on an organic diet, as grass-fed only, or increase the meat's tenderness and marbling by feeding it grain. You can raise the calf on small acreage provided it is zoned properly. You must take certain necessary steps when raising a weaned calf until it ready for slaughter.

Things You'll Need

  • Shelter
  • Pasture
  • Fencing
  • Grain
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide the calf with sufficient shelter and fencing to ensure its safety and comfort. Beef cattle do not thrive and gain weight as well as they should if they are stressed. Comfortable living conditions will help ensure the calf is not stressed.

    • 2

      Provide the calf with health care, including vaccinations, parasite control and veterinary care if the calf becomes sick or injured. Perform subcutaneous injections only on a beef calf that requires needling. Intramuscular injections can cause bruising in the muscle and subsequently damage and toughen the meat.

    • 3

      Feed the calf a grass diet until it reaches a weight of at least 700 lbs. Switch the calf to to a grain diet at this time to help ensure tender beef. Feed the calf according to its weight and the type of feed used. Send the calf to a commercial feedlot for finishing on grain if you cannot do so conveniently on your property. Typical beef cattle diets include barley, corn or wheat. Continue to grass feed the calf if you want grass-fed beef only.

    • 4

      Have the calf slaughtered when it weighs between 1,100 and 1,200 lbs. The calf will ideally be younger than 30 months at the time of slaughter to provide the highest-quality, tenderest beef of the highest grade.