Live Cattle refers to cattle industrially-raised for beef production from the calf stage until they reach between 600 to 800 pounds. At this point, they are considered Feeder Cattle and are taken to feedlots to continue the fattening process.
What is difference between Live Cattle and feeder cattle?
Feeder cattle are weaned calves just sent to the feedlots (about 6-10 months old), and live cattle are cattle which have attained a desirable weight (850-1,000 pounds for heifers, and 1,000-1,200 pounds for steers), to be sold to a packer. The packer slaughters the cattle and sells the meat in carcass boxed form.