Fed cattle production begins with the arrival of a feeder calf (calf fed on pasture) to a feedlot. At that time it is generally 7 to 10 months old and weighs 227 to 318 kg (500 to 700 lb).

Some producers specialize in the backgrounding phase, which ends at around 364 to 430 kg (800 to 950 lb). The feeder calves are then ready for the finishing phase.

Feeder calves will stay in a feedlot for 8 to 10 months, until they reach a weight of about 1,450 pounds (658 kg), or 310 to 360 kg carcass basis (685 to 800 lb carcass). They are fed essentially grain-corn, forage corn, minerals and vitamins.

The grains (corn, barley) help increase the tenderness and marbling of the meat. Food and fresh water are available to the cattle at all times.

Balanced, quality rations with high energy content are served. This diet allows for a gain of more than 3 lb (1.3 kg) per day. When the cattle reach maturity they will be sold to the slaughter plant, where they will be processed into a wide range of beef cuts.

In Quebec, 179 100 fed cattle are produced annually, for a farmgate value of $217 million.

• One fed cattle weighing 1,450 lb (658 kg) yields an average of 800 lb (370 kg) of meat.
• 566 fed-cattle and backgrounding farms are located mainly in the central regions of Quebec.
• An average farm produces 1,430 fed cattle per year.