What feedlots expect in the ideal weaner

The South African feedlot industry produces about 75% of all beef eaten in the country. Annelie Coleman spoke to Lynette van Rooyen, group director at Sparta Beef, and Charles Mathewson, Sparta’s head of cattle procurement, about their company’s weaner requirements and how farmers can satisfy these.

- Annelie Coleman

The age of weaners earmarked for a feedlot is one of the most decisive selection criteria for the industry, according to Lynette van Rooyen, group director at Sparta Beef, a feed lotting and beef-processing company in Benoni, Gauteng.

Only weaners of between the ages of five and seven months are accepted, she says, as weaners of that age adapt to feedlot conditions more easily.

The weight of the animal is also important. A calf must weigh a minimum of 180kg, preferably more, at weaning, as heavier calves are stronger and therefore adapt better to a new environment.

In addition, young cattle have better feed conversion ratios, while older animals are more likely to deposit a higher percentage of fat compared with muscle growth.

FEEDLOTS PREFER THESE CALVES

According to Van Rooyen, the South African beef market mostly prefers Class A beef products, also colloquially referred to as A-grade.

The class is determined by the age of the animal, and age in turn is indicated by the number of permanent incisors that the animal has. If the animal still has all its milk teeth, it’s considered Class A, while one with one of two permanent incisors is AB, three to four permanent incisors is B, and five or more, C.

There is a price difference between the classes. As the animal grows older, price per kilogram decreases.

The class system is often used as an indicator of beef quality. But Charles Mathewson, Sparta’s head of cattle procurement, points out that this is a misconception, as class refers only to the age of the animal.