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Cows/Cattle/butchering older cow

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Expert: - 7/7/2011


Question
Selling cows due to drought conditions, did preg checks, 2 of 10 not bred. Both are approx 10 yrs old, one thin and one large (biggest eater of the herd). Would the large one be worth butchering or too old for quality beef? Hamburger meat only?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi again Pat,

I suspect that both would be good for hamburger. Most people find the meat from older cows, like those that are 10 years of age to be too strong tasting, tough and stringy.  Younger cattle like those under 2 years of age are best for quality beef.  Old cows? Not so.

-Karin

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Karin

Expertise

Knowledge about almost everything to do with beef and dairy cattle. Strong points include breeding/calving/weaning, breeds, feeding, starting-up, pasture/range, most physiological questions, and genetics. PLEASE use your large animal veterinarian as a primary source of information if you have any health-related, life-or-death concerns about your animals.

Experience

I raised stocker steers with farm family, helping with feeding, handling, checking for sick and injured calves, identifying bull calves, pasture management, etc. I also worked at local veterinary clinic with dogs, cats, horses and cattle. Cattle include breeding soundness exams on bulls, castration, fixing prolapses, preg-checking, C-sections, calf pulling, vaccinations, etc.

Education/Credentials
Four years BSc of Agriculture majoring in Animal Science at the U of Alberta, specializing in cattle, animal health and behaviour, forages, pasture & range management, and genetics.

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