Feeding steers is common on many Wisconsin farms. Some operators feed steers for their own meat consumption. Others feed steers for marketing to beef packers and retailers. Steers may be fed from weaning at around 400 or 500 pounds up to around 800 pounds and this is referred to as backgrounding. At this point, they are sold for placement into a feedlot for finishing and typically harvested around 1200 pounds.
Before jumping into a steer feeding program, consider your facilities and the amount of labor you have available. Steers require sturdy fencing, corral and chute for restraining the animals, and an area where they have adequate access to feed and water. Steers will require feeding and checking on a daily basis.
Initial animal cost will vary depending on the current market prices and the size of the animal that you purchase. If you plan to purchase younger animals, consider the increased labor need, health risks, and the fact that your money will be tied up longer.
Feed cost (after your initial purchase cost) will be the largest expense of your steer feeding operation. Feed costs can vary tremendously. Before getting started with a steer feeding operation, you should budget the initial cost to purchase your animals, expected feed costs, veterinarian expenses and the expected cost of your time and labor. Your greatest cost will be purchase cost of the feeder calf.
Your local Extension office has budget figures to help estimate these costs.
