Should I change my beef finishing diet to optimise returns?

Underperformance and a delayed slaughter are very costly, regardless of the sale price.

There is no point in changing a diet unless you know how the current one is performing, warns ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy.

Thankfully, we are seeing a good level of positivity in the beef trade. Prices are rising in factories as they scramble to secure supplies of cattle. The early 2024 mart trade is also on a positive trajectory. 

I have seen reports of big money being paid for early continental calves off the dairy herd, along with a strong trade for warm cull cows. Steers and Heifers fit for slaughter are creating plenty of competition around the sales ring and one wonders why more don’t bring finished cattle to marts. It is a very common route to market across the water.