There is much flexibility in backgrounding with respect to the weight of cattle raised, bought and sold as well as the feed resources used. Our current calf crop is being fed on a slow growth ration to be sold as yearlings. We have implemented different lengths of time for our backgrounding goals with our raised calves over the years. Another method we have used in past years is buying calves or lightweight yearlings in the spring to be grazed and sold in the fall.
It is difficult to pick the daily rate and amount of gain that is most economical in a backgrounding program. Faster rates of gain will reduce interest costs and the amount of feed it takes for a unit of gain. Some of the input costs for backgrounding such as buying, selling, and doctoring are on a per head basis and are decreased per pound of gain as more weight is put on the animal.
Our economical goal for backgrounding a 400- to 450-pound calf raised in the fall to be wintered, grazed and sold in late summer or fall weighing 900 to 1000 pounds will vary from 1.25 to 1.5 pounds daily gain.
Research3, B., & Research3, B. (2021, April 26). To Sell or Background Calves? –
Introducing the BCRC Backgrounding Calculator. BeefResearch.Ca.
https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/to-sell-or-background-calves-introducing-the-bcrcbackgrounding-calculator/
Backgrounding Calves. (2021b, June 25). American Cattlemen.
https://americancattlemen.com/articles/backgrounding-calves