|
| |||
|
|
||||
|
Regional Map Join Us Contact Us Recent News Newsletter Annual Report Board Members Publications Project Partners Staff |
GRASS-FINISHED BEEF “Like Motherhood and Apple Pie” by The Bishopp Family Farm, Deansboro, NY Custom Graziers The Northeast has one of the greatest assets in the country, cool season grasses. New York State led the nation in beef production back in the early 1800’s. We have a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on this emerging beef market utilizing our climate, land and grazing management to once again bring us to the forefront. Consumers will benefit greatly from this nutritious, environmentally, sound, local meat product. Challenges with winter cattle, genetics, grazing skill and meat marketing will need to be addressed to become a successful venture. Our customers in cooperation with the Northeast Livestock Alliance and Strafford Enterprise have the confidence in our 16 years of grazing experience to embark on a new” pasture premium” beef program, grown entirely on grass or hay crop forage. Devon genetics were used, primarily for their ability to marble on pasture and hardiness to the northeast climate. The season was a marked by a classic New York winter and an unusually wet, cool summer. Frigid winter conditions were a hindrance to daily gains even though excellent feed was provided. The average dry matter intake was 27 lbs. We feed out on the pastures the needed nutrients and organic matter. We employed different feeders to investigate the hay wastage issues. Daily moves of the feeding stations provided the least amount of impact to the land. These cattle spent the majority of time outside even in adverse conditions and with access to a barn. The downside was it takes a lot more calories to stay warm. The real pasture grazing started on April 25 with what seemed to be an inch of rain per week throughout the summer, absolutely beautiful conditions for growing grass and legumes. 46 head were managed in 20-acre paddocks per week with a mall cleanup herd of stockers following. Everyone had free choice salt and kelp meal throughout the season. We did not experience pinkeye or any other ailments. In September we ultra sounded the animals and selected the best for market. Dr. Allen Williams and Dr. Matt Cravey from the Jacob Alliance were pleased and picked out 14 head with a combination of straight devon and devon-angus cross. They averaged 1130 lbs with a rib eye area of 12.26 in, .67 backfat and 4.02% intramuscular fat. The dressing percentages averaged 58%. The costs of feed and care for the year averaged $1.40 per head per day. Finishing beef requires the “creaming” of the pasture to allow for maximum intake and weight gain. You will probably leave more than you take which needs to be harvested by other classes of livestock or mowing. Cattle genetics will also play a pivotal role in maturity and marbling. It will be well worth the effort when your customers have an incredible eating experience and you have used the northeast’s premier resource, good pasture. This is an excerpt from Troy Bishopp’s presentation at Northeast Grasstravaganza 2004 held in Binghampton NY. 
Troy with his herd of Devon-Angus crosses. Troy has been rotationally grazing for 18 years. 
Troy can move his herd to new pasture in about ten minutes by using polywire fencing on a spinning jenny to divide his paddocks. Water is gravity fed from a spring and a float valve is used to regulate the flow in each paddock. 
Sign on Troy's barn door; No Farms, No Food, No Future! Any Questions? |
||
|
Copyright© 2008 Adirondack North County Association/ANCA. All rights reserved. Report a problem with this page. |
|