How to Raise Black Angus Cows

Black Angus cows were imported to the United States beginning in 1873 from their homeland of Angus County, Scotland, and have become a popular breed. The Black Angus breed has to be raised and fed correctly to keep the beef selling well in the U.S. There is a science to raising high-quality beef cows. The quality of beef in the cattle is largely determined by what the animal is fed (hay and concentrate) and in what quantity. This method for feeding cattle also involves increasing the amount of feed the cattle are given as they age and gain weight.

Things You'll Need

  • Weaned Black Angus calves
  • Grazing pasture
  • Corral space
  • Concentrate ingredients (corn, oats and liquid molasses)
  • Protein supplement (vitamins, minerals, urea and liquid molasses)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wean a calf off of its mother̵7;s milk when it is six to 10 months old and begin feeding it a ration diet of 50 percent hay/forage and 50 percent concentrate. Forage is pasture feeding, and hay is given to the cows when the pasture needs to rest for a time. Most six-month-old calves begin this forage/grain diet after weaning. Concentrate is a combination of 70 to 80 percent grain (usually corn), 7 to 19 percent whole oats, 8 to 10 percent protein supplement and 3 percent liquid molasses to add a small amount of moisture. The protein supplement may contain an ionophore (antibiotic and/or growth enhancer), vitamins, minerals, urea, and liquid molasses for moisture. If an ionophore is used in the supplement, the meat will not be able to be certified organic meat.

    • 2

      Move the cows to a 60 percent grain to 40 percent hay (forage) diet after the cows have been on the 50/50 diet for 60 to 90 days. The calf will be between 8 and 9 months old when it finishes this ration stage. The amount of feed given to the cows is based on a percentage of their weight. Calves should be fed 2.5 to 2.7 percent of their body weight in dry matter (hay and forage). If calves weigh 400 to 500 pounds, 2.5 to 2.7 percent of their weight equals 11 to 13 pounds of hay/forage per day. On the 60/40 diet, the calves will then eat 28 to 32 pounds of concentrate per day. Exact numbers are determined by the weight of the calves.

    • 3

      Start the cows on a 70 percent grain to 30 percent hay (forage) diet when they are old enough to move on from the 60/40 ration. Again, leave the cows on this ration for another 60 to 90 days. Figure out how many pounds of feed this translates to per day based on the weight percentages stated above.

    • 4

      Begin feeding the cows an 80 percent grain to 20 percent hay (forage) diet when they are old enough to finish the 70/30 ration. The 80/20 ration is the most common finishing ration cows are put on before they are slaughtered either for personal use or for market.

    • 5

      Slowly finish the cows on the 80/20 diet for 180 days or more. Cows will begin this ration when they are approximately 12 months old. After being on this ration for 180 days, cows will be about 18 months old and continuously putting on weight. A Black Angus cow is finished growing and ready for slaughter when it weighs 1150 to 1250 pounds.