Michigans beef industry:

Cow calf

Click Here to Learn More About Grand Meadows Farm, a Michigan Cow Calf Operation

A cow-calf operation is a type of farm or ranch where cattle are raised specifically for producing calves. Mother cows are cared for and managed to have a calf once a year (they have a 9 month gestation) typically in either the spring or the fall. Once calves are born, the mother and calf (often called pairs) are managed and cared for together until the calves are weaned at 6-8 months of age. In most cases the calves are then sold to another farm in the next segment of the beef industry, like a feedlot. 

Cow-calf operations are foundational to the beef industry because they ensure the next generation of cattle while often focusing on sustainable grazing practices that promote healthy soils and biodiversity. 

Feedlot

*Coming Soon: Click Here to Learn More About Cary Pioneer Farms, a Michigan Feedlot Operation

A feedlot is a type of farm where cattle are cared for and fed a nutritious diet to help them grow and finish (reach market weight) before entering the beef supply chain.

Cattle typically stay at the feedlot for 4–6 months, gaining about 2–4 pounds per day until they reach their target weight of 1,200–1,400 pounds or more. During this time, they receive regular health checks and care from veterinarians and cattle handlers.

Feedlots play a key role in the beef industry by efficiently finishing cattle and ensuring consistent, high-quality beef for consumers. Many feedlots also prioritize sustainability by recycling resources, such as using cattle manure as fertilizer for crops, and implementing practices to reduce their environmental impact.

Livestock Market

*Coming Soon: Click Here to Learn More About UPI Livestock Marketing. 

A livestock market is like an auction house for cattle, where farmers and ranchers buy and sell livestock. It’s a key hub in the cattle industry, connecting producers and buyers.   

Here’s how it works: Farmers or ranchers bring their cattle—of all different ages and sizes—to the market. The cattle are then sorted into groups based on factors like age, weight, breed, and purpose. Buyers, including other farmers, feedlot operators, or meat processors, attend the auction either in person or online to bid on the animals.   

During the auction, an auctioneer calls out bids as buyers compete to purchase the cattle. Once sold, the cattle are transported to the next stop in the beef supply chain. 

Livestock markets are an important part of the beef industry because they help create a fair market for cattle, ensuring producers get competitive prices while buyers find the livestock they need. These events also foster community, often bringing local farmers and ranchers together.

custom Processing

*Coming Soon: Click Here to Learn More About Byron Center Meats a Custom Processing facility in Byron Center, MI. 

A custom processing plant is a facility where livestock, like cattle, are butchered and/or processed for individual customers, often farmers or families, rather than for retail distribution.   

The plant’s skilled butchers process the meat according to the customer’s specific instructions. This can include cutting steaks, roasts, and ground beef to preferred sizes, packaging the meat for freezing, and sometimes offering specialty services like smoking or making sausage.    

Custom processing plants are popular with farmers who sell beef directly to consumers, families stocking up on meat, or people seeking local, farm-to-table beef. Just like large scale commercial processors, these facilities follow strict food safety standards to ensure the meat is safe and high-quality.