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With the ups and downs in the cattle business, it is important to know what factors can impact the bottom line, especially in the feedyard. Texas Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Dr. John McNeill agrees. "In order to target economic goals and establish satisfactory returns on investments, all factors that have an economic impact on production, performance and net return must be carefully examined," McNeill says. "Often, projected returns differ from the actual outcome." By understanding some of the factors that affect cattle performance, the financial outcome of a cattle feeding investment should be more predictable. Weight "Lightweight cattle are generally more efficient in converting feed to weight gain than heavy cattle of the same type and quality," McNeill explains. This is due to the lower relative maintenance requirements of smaller cattle and the composition of the gain. "Weight gain in lighter cattle is mostly water and protein accumulation. As animals become heavier, fat deposition -- which is less efficient from an energy use standpoint -- becomes a major component of the gain." The weight of the cattle could also have an effect on their health. "Heavier cattle generally have fewer health problems and require fewer days on feed," McNeill says. Sex Feeder steers typically cost more than heifers of the same weight and quality due to the fact that steers generally gain eight to 10 percent faster and are six to eight percent more efficient. Heifers are less efficient because they mature at a lighter weight. Beware when purchasing older heifers, which are more likely to be bred. This results in reduced feed efficiency, increased death loss and packer discounts. "Bull calves generally sell for a slight discount to steers because of a setback in performance due to castration and increased potential death loss," says McNeill. Breeds and Type The breed and type of cattle can dramatically affect carcass quality. For this reason, some breeds do not bring as much when sold on the average as other breeds. To compensate for the difference in carcass quality, a slaughter buyer may recommend selling the cattle "on the rail," where a price is determine by carcass quality. Research shows that larger framed, later-maturing types of cattle produce a higher proportion of lean yield. Smaller, earlier-maturing cattle tend to have more marbling, higher carcass quality grades, more fat trim and higher costs of gain. Background The background of cattle can definitely affect the performance in the feedyard. "Cattle that have been deprived nutritionally, to the point of restricting optimal growth, will have compensatory gain when placed on feed," McNeill says. Those that come from preconditioning yards where they have been immunized against various diseases and have learned easier and generally have fewer health problems. Environment "Environmental factors, such as temperature, relative humidity, snow, wind, rain and mud, affect energy requirements, feed intake and animal performance," says McNeill. McNeill explains that adverse weather will impact the performance of cattle more if they are fed for a short period of time versus a long feed period. "The weather factor impacts a greater percentage of the time on feed for the short-fed cattle." Health and Death Loss "Light calves placed on feed during late fall and early winter generally encounter a higher rate of death loss," he says. This is partially due to the dramatic fluctuation in temperatures during that time of year. "Heavier steers generally have less death loss when placed on feed during late spring and early summer." McNeill says that reduced performance due to prolonged sickness often impacts the bottom line more than actual death loss. Days on Feed "As cattle become heavier, fat deposition accounts for a higher percentage of their weight gain," he explains. Since fat deposition requires more energy than protein formation, more pounds of feed are required to produce a pound of fat. Therefore costs of gain increase dramatically at the end of the feeding period. By understanding a few of the elements that affect cattle performance, cattle feeders can more accurately predict a breakeven, and possibly have a more successful feeding experience. Reports in the Beef Cattle Handbook were used to compile this article. |
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