Infographic: Beef Production Cycle (PDF - 1,431 kb) Description of infographic - Beef Production Cycle Summer: Cows and calves feed at pasture. Fall: Cows return to farm of origin. Calves are sent to feed lot. Calves are slaughtered for meat. Winter: Cows are tested for pregnancy. Cows are sent to auction or to slaughter. Cows stay on the farm to calve. Winter / Spring: Cows are then re-bred. Spring: Cows and calves go to pasture.