"How big is too big?" is the question on the minds of cattle feeders. Shawn Walter, owner and president of Professional Cattle Consultants in Hydro, Okla., said carcass weights continue to climb.
Walter spoke about the implications of heavier carcass weights on feeders, packers, food service and consumers, during the Feeding Quality Forum in Grand Island, Neb., recently.
"Most packers can handle carcasses up to 1,050 pounds but above that tends to be a problem," he said. "Over the past 50 years, carcass weights have continually increased. At some point we will need to see this slow down."
Days on feed for feedlot steers have been decreasing over the past couple years, but it may be affected by placement weights in 2012. The placement weights have decreased for 2012 due to the drought.
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