What Feedyards Are Looking For in
Feeder Cattle They Buy
By Tom Brink
Will you expand your cowherd in the
next year or two?
A. Yes
B. No
GREAT time to own cows, IF you have a competitive
cost structure AND the right genetics and management
to compete in today’s marketplace.
The young cows you have now and the heifers bred
during the next two years could easily be the most
profitable cows you will ever own.
Beef Cows
vs.
Gold
Which is the better investment?
Gold vs. Bred Cow Price Index* (2004 = 100%)
450
400
350
Gold
300
250
200
150
Bred Cow
100
50
0
2004
2005
*Nov-Dec Prices.
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
What are cattle feeders looking for
in the feeder cattle we buy?
(1) Cattle with good
performance potential
-High ADG
-Low Feed/Gain
-Desirable Finish Weight
Economics of Size & Weight
Is BIGGER better?
Or is SMALLER better in a high feed cost environment?
Which is more economical: a yearling-fed steer
that finishes at 1,225 or 1,350 pounds?
Let’s answer that question indirectly,
by looking at actual feedyard
performance on yearling-fed steers.
Steer Performance Comparison
Group A
• 782 lb. placement wt.
• 1.05% death loss
• DMI = 19.29 lbs.
• ADG = 2.93 lbs.
• Dry F/G = 6.63 lbs.
Group B
• 787 lb. placement wt.
• 0.98% death loss
• DMI = 20.34 lbs.
• ADG = 3.30 lbs.
• Dry F/G = 6.20 lbs.
Multi-year closeouts on more than 470,000 head.
Steer Performance Comparison
Group A
• 782 lb. placement wt.
• 1.05% death loss
• DMI = 19.29 lbs.
• ADG = 2.93 lbs.
• Dry F/G = 6.63 lbs.
Group B
• 787 lb. placement wt.
• 0.98% death loss
• DMI = 20.34 lbs.
• ADG = 3.30 lbs.
• Dry F/G = 6.20 lbs.
The ONLY difference in sort
criteria between Group A and
Group B was their carcass weight.
Steer Performance Comparison
Group A
• 782 lb. placement wt.
• 1.05% death loss
• DMI = 19.29 lbs.
• ADG = 2.93 lbs.
• Dry F/G = 6.63 lbs.
• 700-800 lb. carcasses
• 784 lb. carcass wt.
• 1,225 lb. live weight
Group B
• 787 lb. placement wt.
• 0.98% death loss
• DMI = 20.34 lbs.
• ADG = 3.30 lbs.
• Dry F/G = 6.20 lbs.
• >850 lb. carcasses
• 866 lb. carcass wt.
• 1,353 lb. live weight
1,353 lbs.
1,225 lbs.
Heavier-finishing steers creates more value in the
feedyard…
+$46.56 per head advantage
$7.00
Research conducted by Steven Hammock suggests that
the cow’s mature weight will be roughly equal to the
feedyard finish weight of her steer progeny (assuming
the cow is bred to a bull with the same frame size)
Bigger cow = bigger steer
Smaller cow = smaller steer
The average mature cow weight in my
herd is ______.
A. Under 1,000 lbs
B. 1,100 to 1,200 lbs
C. 1,200 to 1,300 lbs
D. 1,300 to 1,400 lbs
E. Over 1,400 lbs
An 1,800 pound fed steer!
(2) Health in Feedyards
Cattle Health in the Feedyard
• “Old problem” but still identified as the #1
production problem feedyards face
• Impact on performance and carcass quality is well
documented
• We have the technology and know how to get cattle
better prepared to leave the farm or
ranch…implementation is lacking
Many cattle still need stronger immunity when they leave home.
(3) Breed Composition
Breed Composition Pyramid: Ideal Feeder Animal
Up to 25%
Other Breeds
25% to 50%
Continental
50% to 75%
Angus
If I could improve one thing about my
calf crop if would be:
A. Growth rate and feed efficiency
B. Health
C. Carcass weight
D. Carcass quality
E. Red meat yield
F. Uniformity
G. Color
Creating more valuable feeder calves
•
•
•
•
•
•
Value-added programs
UNIFORM load-lot groups
Post-weaning management
Health protection
Right genetics within breeds
Right combination of breeds
$$$$
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