Australian term. Cattle that are "turned off" are almost always sent to be slaughtered immediately, but not in every case.
See http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/shadomx/apps/fms/fms...

"Feeder cattle are purchased under a number of purchase systems from a wide range of markets depending on current market prices and availability. Breed type, age and quality of purchased cattle depends upon market destination requirements. Cattle may be sourced from distant locations, with interstate movements from Victoria to Queensland, and South Australia to Queensland not uncommon. Cattle are fed under varying feeding regimes,typically ranging from 70–300 days. Feeding period is dependent upon market destination, with the Australian domestic market requiring short fed (70 day) cattle and export markets requiring longer feeding periods.
Cattle are allocated to particular pens occurs upon arrival at the feed yard, with minimal relocations during the feeding period.
A MAJORITY OF CATTLE TURNED OFF FROM THE FEEDLOT GO DIRECTLY TO SLAUGHTER, WITH A SMALL NUMBER EXPORTED LIVE FOR FURTHER FEEDING IN JAPAN OR MARKETED THROUGH SALEYARDS...
Cattle are purchased AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME RATE AS THEY LEAVE (ARE ‘TURNED-OFF’). The numbers vary as a percentage of pen capacity depending on the fattening period, which varies widely even within a feedlot. On a large enterprise consignments can arrive daily...
Cattle are ‘TURNED-OFF’ CONTINUOUSLY AND ARE IMMEDIATELY SLAUGHTERED OR OCCASIONALLY EXPORTED FOR FURTHER FATTENING IN JAPAN. Usually a whole pen of cattle leave the feedlot at once.
Selection for export or local sale is done after slaughter and carcase appraisal."


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Note added at 16 hrs 5 mins (2005-12-13 08:01:43 GMT) Post-grading
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Thank you, JCEC! It IS right up my street, but the wrong language pair...;-)