family-owned with families providing the daily care and maintenance of the cow herd. These producers profit mainly from the sale of calves at weaning age, which is usually around 6–8 months of age. Stocker Operations When calves are weaned from their mothers (6–8 months), they are often transferred to stocker or backgrounding operations. These operations use grazing pastures for cattle to provide moderate weight gain with minimal grain being added to their diet. This stage of production usually lasts from when calves are weaned until they are 12–18 months. At this time, they are taken to a feedlot. Feedlot Operations In feedlots, large numbers of cattle are grouped based on size, genetics, and consistency in order to maximize profit for the feedlot. Cattle are not allowed to graze at feedlots. They are fed high-grain diets with roughage (hay) to increase fat deposition which, in turn, increases the quality of beef. Cattle usually spend four to six months in the feedlot. Most feedlots are located in the high plains of the United States. The Texas panhandle, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Colorado are the leading states in feedlot production, Figure 10-5. Seedstock Operations Seedstock cattle producers raise cattle that are typically registered with a breed association. They may be referred to as purebred breeders. (A purebred animal is an animal species or breed achieved through the process of selective breeding.) They produce seedstock: bulls, heifers, and cows that are used in registered breeding herds as well as commercial cattle operations. These cattle are usually registered in a breed association with a documented pedigree and performance data (birth date, birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, maternal/milk or carcass data) that is useful to purebred and commercial cattlemen. Red Angus Association Figure 10-4. Calves nurse for six months before weaning. Do nursing cows have additional nutritional needs? Santa Gertrudis Breeders International, Kingsville, Texas Figure 10-5. Cattle on feedlots are grouped to maximize profit for the feedlot. How does grouping the animals by size, genetics, and consistency help maximize profit for the feedlot? Chapter 10 Large-Animal Production 511 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.