Abstract The objective of this work is to explore the aspects of raising beef cattle for 'profit' in the area of the United States that is comprised of Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and other areas of the Southeastern United States. It examines the factors that have the potential to affect costs and profits and ultimately examines the feeding methods through a compare and contrast analysis of 'grain' fed cattle and 'grass' fed cattle in relation to cost, health and profitability.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Changes in the Cattle Business over the Past Two Decades
Challenges and Difficulties in Raising Beef Cattle Herds
Profit And Loss Considerations in Raising Beef Cattle
Grain-Fed versus Grass/Pasture-Fed Beef
Nutritional Differences in Grass- And Grain-Fed Beef
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The cattle business is not a livelihood that can be scheduled on a clock for indeed just as the beef cattleman has decided to head in from the barns and fields it is time for a calf to be born, or a calf has been born and rejected by its' mother requiring bottle-feeding every few hours and around the clock. Other difficulties are illustrated in the fence that the cattle broke at 3:00 a.m. or the sick cow that must be 'put down' in order to keep infection from the rest of the herd. While the cattle business is rewarding and has the potential to be, very profitable it is not a business for those who tend to be lackadaisical or for the faint at heart. "
