What is the process called when calves are grown and fed from weaning until they enter the feedlot?

The process referred to when calves are grown and fed from weaning until they enter the feedlot is called backgrounding. This stage is crucial for developing the calves before they transition to a more intensive feeding program in the feedlot. During backgrounding, the focus is on building body weight and conditioning the calves through adequate nutrition and management practices while they graze on pasture, consume forages, and receive supplemental feeds if necessary.

This phase helps improve muscle development and prepares the calves for the more concentrated diets they will receive once they enter the feedlot for finishing. It generally occurs in a lower-stress environment compared to the subsequent finishing phase, which involves high-energy feeds aimed at rapid weight gain to optimize carcass quality for market. Understanding backgrounding is essential for effective livestock management, ensuring that calves grow efficiently and are healthy when they reach the feedlot stage.