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Grass Fed Genetics?

L

Liveoak

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Joined
Aug 25, 2009
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573
Location
Texas
NR, I know your into GFG and some others on this board might be also.

What, exactly, does Grass Fed Genetics (GFG) mean? The phrase, to me, conjurs up the implication that some cattle do better on grass than others. But, that really wouldn't makes sense given that most pasture cattle eat grass! How do the economics work out in favor of the producer when he/she aims for the GFG frame score of 4?
 
When I changed to 100% forage, some cattle did fine...other couldn't maintain condition without the supplements. I believe "grassfed genetics" is a matter of selecting for more efficient, better adapted cattle for your environment.
 
RobertMac said:
When I changed to 100% forage, some cattle did fine...other couldn't maintain condition without the supplements. I believe "grassfed genetics" is a matter of selecting for more efficient, better adapted cattle for your environment.
Click to expand...

I can understand that and it makes sense but I was wondering why some of those who are heavy into "grassfed genetics" focus on a frame score of 4. Is it all connected to "mature weight" and how much they consume to maturity?
 
Bigger frame is usually associated with later maturity, less backfat, and more energy required to finish. An early maturing, easily fattened animal requires less energy for finishing and thus should be better adapted to being GFG.
Bigger, framier, leaner animals finish later and can be tough to do "in season" with the grass. Also I think a lot of the grassfed market focuses on smaller cuts, so the advantage goes to cows with less frame again.
 
Liveoak, GFG means different things to different people.

One question might be what genetics are most suitable for grass finishing if in fact grass finishing is the application you are thinking of. This of course will depend to some extent on what grass finishing model you are going to employ. Killing cattle off the grass at 16 to 18 months of age is a different ball of wax compared to cattle 26 to 28 months of age. It also depends on your definition of "finished".

Liveoak are you considering finishing some cattle on grass?
 

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