Home Forums Miscellaneous Topics Rural Living Steer or Heifer?

Is there much difference in finishing out a heifer rather than a steer? On the same feed can you expect similar gains and quality of meat?

Last year I finished a couple Hereford steers that came out wonderful. This year thinking of adding a few more and may end up with a couple heifers.

A heifer might finish out a bit lighter, feed conversion in theory is lower on heifers, but in practice, other factors make more difference. That is my thought on the topic.

Thanks, Wabigoon.
I appreciate the feedback!

Spay the heifers and they'll gain like a steer..... Just had 75 done today.

I'll be darned, I never heard of that one.
What's it cost to have one spayed?
How does the $ work out on the results?

I've been aware of it for years, never done it.

db, I don't know what the vet charges as it don't come outta MY pocket......grin

But whatever it is, it is worth it. The spayed heifers bring more in the ring to feeders and are easier to handle. Kinda like the diff between steers and bulls but not as quite as noticeable. It should be a requirement for wives too, unless you plan on breeding them.......grin

Its really cheap.

Like less than 20 bucks.

Otherwise the heifers finish slower and lighter.....sometimes!

We just got a heifer back from the butcher.

So far so good.

Everything is just a bit smaller.

If you have a large group (hundreds) it is pretty cheap to spay.

If you just have one or two, might end up being $25 -$50 per.

Really not much difference other than once every month a heifer will be a little off and won't eat quite as well. Heifers will typically marble better than steers some though.

We used to use implants on heifers.

People are not as thrilled about those now.

Ok, gotta ask.

What, exactly does spaying entail.
Ovary removal, or what?

yep.

Heifers with fake boobs?
grin

One thing, a near fat heifer after calving loses a lot of weight.

Hey HM22-is that Dr. Daryl Meyer from Nebraska working on your heifers?

No sir. A vet from Limon, Co. First name is Steve, but I never caught his last name. He has done my neighbors beef heifers for years so I could call and find out if ya want.

Thanks, no need to call. Not many vets do the trans-vaginal spay technique, it's kind of a special skill. I know that Dr. Meyer travels extensively for his work in several western states. He's done work in our area of southern Iowa.

That's good you have a vet that can do that right in your neighborhood!

Yeah. My neighbors are worried that he will retire soon, and there is noone else close. I do know he's slowed way down. He done the 75 for us, compared to 150 in a day a couple years ago.

I just worked on a crew of 10 and the vet spayed 1200 plus in two days. This included shots, pour, new ear tags, and TB medication. He uses a tool about 18" long with a small spoon like end that has a cut out in the flat spoon that is sharp. Inserts it into the vaginal tract and snips off the ovaries. Takes about 5 to 10 seconds.

They said this lets steers and heifers mix together, feed lot buyers like it as they gain a little more weight by avoiding ovulation. This is the first time I have seen it done but it makes sense.

Around here some small farms get the free martins from local dairies. No ovaries and some of them have bull traits. I've killed free Martin heifers with testicals under there tits. Barry