Suckled Beef - 24 Months

At 2 years old most extensively reared animals will be approaching their finished condition although some will not be completely finished until 30 months.

Extensively reared animals will normally reach their finished weight on mainly high quality silage or hay but some rolled barley or concentrates may also be fed.

Some specialist beef farmers aim to finish cattle at three years but this needs special permission because it is over the 30 month limit brought in as a result of BSE / CJD.

There are usually very few health problems with cattle of this age, especially once housed. Plenty of space within buildings is important.

They are graded according to the shape and fat covering of the carcase on which prices vary. A typical carcase would be around 350 kgs in weight.

Extensively finished cattle may be sold on contract for supermarket premium beef brands but many may also be sold into livestock markets. Increasingly such cattle are also being sold directly to customers through farm shops and local beef brands.