the process is worth the wait...
The bull calf is born and yes, given a name.
WFD stands for what's for dinner. My family can have a sick sense of humor naming the animals. I personally can't call him "hey Dinner" like they can. It's not as bad as others I've heard: T Bone, Chuck Roast, even Hot Dog?
He was born 11-28-22 at 83# to a registered Red Brangus dam and our registered Hereford bull.
The bull calf is weaned, steered and raised on grass.
WW = 540#
YW = 824#
WFD 2208F is pictured here as a yearling.
Time for Feed-Out.
WEIGHT BEFORE FEED-OUT = 11155#
We made the decision to start feed-out at 21.5 months. He's been fully grass-fed until now. This is his picture before feed-out. He will be processed in December after a 98-day progressive feed-out on my custom RRR feed-out ration.
We believe this is the best age to start a red F1. The extra maturity darkens the beef for more flavor and is still young enough to retain tenderness. This is our personal 'sweet spot'.
almost there...
Feed-Out Complete.
LIVE WEIGHT = 1410#
WFD 2208F is pictured here after feed-out. He has been weighed and will be loaded on the trailer to go to the processor in 2 days.
My RRR raising philosophy and custom feed-out is designed to drive in any additional marbling and give a modest boost to the external layer of fat.
In the 98-day feed-out, he gained 255# which is about 2.6 #/day.
TIP: going for higher pounds per day can result in too much external unhealthy, wasteful fat deposits. When the steer is raised to a more mature age (~21+ mos) on grass, he has achieved a good stature and has plenty of muscle and healthy fats already.
Loaded.
LIVE WEIGHT ARRIVAL @ PROCESSOR: 1353#
NOTE: "Shrinkage" always occurs on the ride. In this case, shrinkage was on the trailer floor...
Processing.
HANGING WEIGHT = 865#
The processor we use charges a per pound processing fee based on the hanging weight. There is also a slaughter/disposal fee and a few charges for some specialty cuts we prefer.
Our total cost at the processor was $1252.
Total Cost.
BOXED WEIGHT = OVER 550# (11 BOXES)
Our total cost per pound, raising him, feeding him out and processing him was about $4.50 per pound.
Understandably, we didn't have to purchase the steer. A purchaser of a RRR steer would have to figure the steer purchase cost, feed-out cost (unless you choose grass finished) and processing.
drumroll please...
QUALITY, TASTE, AND HEALTH.
HIGH CHOICE OVERALL!
THAT'S ONE LEVEL UNDER PRIME GUYS - AMAZING!
THE RIB ROASTS AND OTHER STEAK CUTS WERE IN THE PRIME ZONE, BUT OVERALL HIGH CHOICE IS SOMETHING I AM PERSONALLY VERY PROUD OF. MY PHILOSOHY WORKS - TRY IT!
WONDERFULLY MARBLED WITH OLEAGINOUS FAT (THE HEALTY FAT). HOW DID WE GET THIS PRODUCT? RAISING THE STEER LONGER ON GRASS - YES, GRASS - WITH A MINIMAL FEEDOUT.
Freezer Meat.
We chose the following cuts:
(2) FULL BONE-IN RIBEYE ROASTS (Quality shown here)
(2) FULL TENDERLOINS (I LIKE TO CUT MY OWN)
MULTIPLE PACKS OF NY STRIP STEAKS
MULTIPLE PACKS OF SIRLOIN STEAKS
(2) TERES MAJOR (SPECIALTY CUT FROM THE CHUCK PRIMAL)
4" SHORT RIBS
(2) BRISKETS, CUT IN HALF
BONELESS STEW MEAT
A FEW CHICKEN FRIED STEAKS, PRE--TENDERIZED.
(2) INSIDE SKIRTS, (2) OUTSIDE SKIRTS, (2) FLANKS, (2) FLAPS
RUMP ROAST, PIKES PEAK ROAST, LOIN TIP ROAST, ROUND ROASTS
SOUP BONES (FOR MY OWN BEEF BROTH)
OXTAIL
GROUND CHUCK (OUR PREFERENCE FOR BEST GRILLED BURGERS)
GROUND HAMBURGER MEAT (TACO NIGHT ANYONE? OK, SPAGETTI)
R) 2208F
RRR DUKE WFD 2208F
DOB 11-28-22
BW: 83#
CASTRATED: 03/08/23
WEANING: 540#
YEARLING: 824# (ADG 2.17)
PRE-FEED OUT: 1155# @ 21.5 MOS ON GRASS ALONE
FEED OUT: 1410# (ON 98 DAYS OF RRR CUSTOM RATION)
LIVE WEIGHT AT PROCESSOR: 1353# due to 'SHRINKAGE' (i.e. power wash the trailer floor)
HANGING WEIGHT: 865#
MEAT IN THE FREEZER: (11) 50#+ BOXES
BUTCHER'S GRADE OPINION: HIGH CHOICE OVERALL, with the rib roasts and a few other steaks at the PRIME level. BEAUTIFUL!
This very nice steer represents the ideal in F1 production. He was sired by our registered Hereford bull and his dam is our most solidly built registered Red Brangus cow. He is full of muscle front to back. Moderate to larger stature.