Cows live outside year around, using trees as shelter when needed. They also grow very heavy haircoats to protect them from winter weather. Most weaned calves stay in Virginia through this next phase. The cow-calf producer often sells his calves, and they are bought by a stocker or backgrounding operator. This producer uses feeds produced on his farm to grow cattle.
Some producers use mostly pasture, letting cattle harvest the grass directly.
Others use feeds they have harvested, combined with grains, and feed these to the cattle in barns or lots. Cattle fed this way usually gain from 1 to 2 pounds each day. They are sold at the end of this phase weighing 700 to 900 pounds at an age of 10 to 14 months. Because these cattle are around 1 year old they are called yearlings. Virginia has a large number of producers who run stocker or backgrounding operations.