Contrary to the belief that cattle and other animals raised in large feedlots (CAFOs) are abused, J&S Feedlots shows how well cared-for cattle really are, and how they strive to improve conditions for their animals every day.

1. Beef: Caring for Cattle in the
Feedlot
Joan Ruskamp-Dodge, NE
•

2. The Ruskamp Family

3. Aerial view of our feedlot: The top is the east end. A fresh
water pond collects water from the west while a holding pond
catches all feedlot runoff and water from the north-110 acres
total. The holding pond is used to irrigate farm ground.

4. Cattle Nutrition-utilizing feed like hay,
corn, corn silage, soybeans, distillers grains
and a supplement to balance
vitamins/minerals needed. All feed is
measured using scales.

5. Feed is formulated into rations according
to the age/size of the animal. A scale on
the feedtruck distributes the exact
amount.

6. Health-walking through every pen, every day to
make sure all animals are well. Sick animals are
removed from the pen and treated.

7. There are steps taken when antibiotics are used to treat cattle.
Animals are treated according to label instructions and
veterinary supervision. Animals are traced using methods
ranging from index cards to laptop computers.

8. Health
Vaccinations to prevent disease
Treatment with antibiotics if they get sick
Adherence to withdrawal times before shipping
out to processing phase.

9. Cattle have access to fresh water. This
means cleaning tanks often.

10. Cattle Comfort-use of bedding and
windbreaks for extreme cold

11. Removing and/or piling snow in the
pens for dry places to lay down.

12. Cattle have hair coats designed to
handle living outside.

13. Making sure cattle get fed at normal
times during snow storms.

14. When it is hot, dry and dusty we wet
down the pens to control the dust.

15. For extreme heat we have
sprinklers to cool the cattle as a
mist along the bunk

16. Cattle at the feedlot have plenty of
room to walk around and lay down.

17. Continuous improvements are made
such as building steel fence.

18. Farmers and ranchers are both
important in providing beef for food.
Cattle are content on grass. Cattle are content on dirt. If we
USDA says 85% of all land not fed cattle like we did in 1955 we
suitable for crops but can be would need 165 million more
grazed. acres-1/2 the size of Texas.

19. Beef and the Environment
• Washington State University study in 2007
shows we raise 13% more beef from 13%
fewer cattle.
• Produce 18% less carbon emissions
• Take 30% less land
• Require 14% less water
• EPA shows beef production accounts for only
2.8% country’s greenhouse emissions
compared to 26% for transportation.

20. This is the reason we do what we do-
giving people beef to eat.
Chef Steve getting ready to slice Beef provides ZIP-zinc, iron
the Christmas Eve prime rib. and protein in a nutrient
dense product.

21. Cattle give us much more than food!
•
99% of the animal is used!
Beef at work, play and in the home:
• bone china shaving cream
• leather sporting goods soaps
• Bone meal violin strings
• biscuits insecticides
• Luggage toothpaste
• boots and shoes upholstery
• Paint glue
• candles floor wax
• pet foods fabric softeners
• cosmetics textiles
• photographic film doggie chews
• crayons detergents
• Plastics shampoo/cream rinses
• deodorants
In the pharmacy: Insulin, Heparin, Corticotrophin, Thyrotropin, Parathyroid Hormone, Thrombin,
Glucagon, Sodium levothyroxine, Fibrinolysin, Pancreatin, Thyroid, Parathyroid hormone.
On the road: asphalt, rubber tires, stearic acid to help tires keep their shape from the heat of friction,
hydraulic fluid, car waxes, textiles for upholstery,
Chemical manufacturers use the fatty acids for: cement blocks, explosives, lubricants, printing ink,
whitener for paper, molds for plastics, fertilizer…

22. Beef is Big for Nebraska
• $12.1 billion impact to Nebraska's Economy
• 20,000 beef cow operations
• 1.88 million head of beef cows
• The average herd size is 94 head
• 4,570 cattle feeding operations statewide
• 5.1 million cattle fed and marketed per year
• On average there are 2.3 million head of cattle on feed
• Only 770 feeding operations are larger than 1,000
head
• Cattle outnumber Nebraskan’s 4:1
• Farms/ranches makeup 93% state’s land area

23. Resources:
www.nebeef.org
www.ExploreBeef.org
www.findourcommonground.com
www.commongroundnebraska.com
Questions?