Re: OT: Never complain about the cost of meat
 

600 lbs would be small, if it was a cow; these are calves that are being sold at around 6-7 months old. From when we sell them, they go on to the feedlot, where they are brought up to a slaughterable weight, which is well over 1000 lbs. A full grown cow that we sell can weigh upwards of 1500 lbs, a bull sometimes up to 2000 lbs.

Re: OT: Never complain about the cost of meat
 

I was always under the impression that the feedlots raised the cattle as well. Hrm good to know.

I would imagine that the others as well as myself are refering to the feedlots for the various acts mentioned. I'd be curious to learn what you know about them.

Re: OT: Never complain about the cost of meat
 

About feedlots I know next to nothing, except that they pay next to nothing for the cattle and turn around and charge an arm & leg for the finished product.

Re: OT: Never complain about the cost of meat
 

That happens in a lot of areas. The unfortunate middle man syndrome.

Re: OT: Never complain about the cost of meat
 

Indeed.

Re: OT: Never complain about the cost of meat
 

Sounds like you need a cattle ranchers' union.

Re: OT: Never complain about the cost of meat
 

Unfortunately that wouldn't help; the feedlots would then just buy cattle from the US and ship them up here to be readied for slaughter...we'd just end up with no where to sell them to.

Re: OT: Never complain about the cost of meat
 

How about, a competitor to Feedlots? Or is it yet another case of monopoly?

Re: OT: Never complain about the cost of meat
 

Essentially a monopoly.

Re: OT: Never complain about the cost of meat
 

The cost of buying the equipment for slaughter, and getting licensed, would be pretty high. It's ironic, but the assorted attempts to regulate for the sake of protecting the public often make new entries into an industry impossible. The auto industry is like this. You have to spend so much to prove your cars are safe that no new automakers could start today unless Bill Gates or Warren Buffet wants to get into the business.