The Role Of Ranching In The Cattle Industry

The cattle industry is facing more problems daily and while the price of beef is always changing, the price of raising beef is not. The love for ranching and animals runs deep in the owners themselves. Ranching is an amazing way of life, but can be very hard and frustrating. With animal rights advocates becoming more ignorant to the logic behind modern methods and their mental image more distorted, it does not make ranchers lives any easier. Feedlots are results of the industrialization and scientific progression America has made; they are key components in meeting the demands of America’s beef. The largest problem producers are facing in the cattle industry is meeting the global demands for quality beef; therefore it is imperative that
This shows that producers are feeding more people with fewer head of cattle. Ranchers and feedlots have worked hard to raise more efficient cattle that reach the peak slaughtering time approximately three months faster. Jude L. Capper, an animal scientist explained the progression ranchers have made, “American beef producers have continually improved how they breed, feed and care for cattle while maintaining the high safety, quality and taste standards for which U.S. beef is renowned” (Capper). Ryan Andrews, a vegan, nutritionist, bodybuilder, and animal activist, visited Magnum Feedlot in Wiggins, Colorado. Andrews discussed the feedlot’s emphasis on efficiency in Cattle feedlot: Behind the Scenes, “Of course, the goal at Magnum is to feed cattle efficiently. They want the biggest weight gain for the fewest pounds of feed, in the most economical way. And, at Magnum, they do a good job of efficiency” (Andrews). Feedlots use different feed rations for the different stages that the cattle are in. For instance, a calf that has been weaned for sixty days does not need as much protein as a fifteen-month-old steer. Feed rations are not one-size fits all, similar to humans; cattle do not all eat the same. Properly balancing rations and feeding cattle to meet their specific nutritional needs helps determine
Feedlots are necessary in the cattle industry if producers are going to give consumers safe, reasonably priced, tasty beef. While feedlots may have a few problems that need worked on, the other realistic options do not make sense and have major problems in themselves. When feedlots are properly managed, technology allows beef producers to make leaps and bounds in every area of the industry, and these improvements will only become more beneficial as time goes on. By utilizing modern feedlot practices, producers can maximize the resources of America, and provide the world with the healthiest beef