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RE: [RC] slaughter Sorry it's so long - heidiI should have accurate figures for the gain in feedlots, but as an
educated estimate, about 120-180 lbs, in 60 days on feed. It is
by far the most expensive weight to put on them, both in terms of feed
and in terms of labor. And keep in mind that not all of that
weight is beef--can't remember the average hanging carcass weight ratio
to live weight (and some of that is bones) but less than half of that
gain is actual beef. Additionally, more of the grass-fed carcass
is actual MEAT since it contains less fat.
I think I listed smaller cuts as being one of the benefits,
actually--we don't NEED to eat a 22-ounce Porterhouse. Ideal
amount in the diet is more on the order of about 5-6 oz per day of
LEAN red meat.
As for Brazil's advantage regarding ethanol, certainly that is a
factor. However, we could be doing a lot more with blends, or
with technology incorporating starter motors that run on gasoline to
get the vehicle going and then switching to ethanol once it is warmed
up. (I remember having a starter motor on an old tractor--it was
gas, it got things turning, and then the diesel engine took over.)
Heidi
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