Final answer:
Beef cattle are initially grazed on open lands, then moved to feedlots where they are fattened with grains, and finally sent to meatpacking plants for processing. Some ranchers opt for a grass-fed diet for the cattle, which commands a higher market price. Advances in processes and sustainability efforts are continually shaping the industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the production of beef cattle, the process involves three stages where cattle are moved through different facilities before reaching the consumer. Initially, cattle grazed on open lands are rounded up when they reach market size and are then placed in a feedlot. Here, they are usually provided a steady diet of grain, such as corn and silage. The feedlots are typically close to transportation systems, such as railroads and highways, for the easy supply of these grains and for shipping cattle for processing. Transporting grain and silage from the Corn Belt to feedlots is a key aspect of this phase.
After the feedlot phase, the cattle are moved to meat packing plants situated near these feedlots. Historical developments in the meatpacking industry, like those initiated by Philip Armour and Gustavus Swift, illustrate the strategic positioning of processing plants in proximity to major cattle supplying areas to lower transportation costs. As the cattle reach the desired weight and condition, they are processed into various beef products such as hamburger meat and steaks.
Some modern practices include raising cattle on a grass-only diet, which tends to be more expensive but yields beef considered to be healthier and tastier by enthusiasts, thus allowing grass-fed beef to have a higher market price. Additionally, certain sustainability practices, particularly in places such as Brazil, aim to mitigate the environmental impact of cattle ranching.