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Selecting a feedyard can be a daunting task. Often cattle feeders chose a feedyard based on the recommendations of other cattlemen. Feedyards often excel with particular types of cattle and offer a variety of services, therefore the cattle feeder must consider his cattle and any special requests he has when selecting a feedyard. Scientists from the University of Idaho and the University of Nevada, Reno have developed a list of questions to consider when selecting a feedyard. The checklist considers characteristics, management practices and location in determining if a feedyard is right for your situation Location A desirable location will have good drainage, minimal mud and is accessible to feed resources and markets. Consider how far the yard is from your ranch. Is easily accessible? Feedlot Facilities
The feedlot design influences how well cattle will feed and the amount of stress they will experience. Observe the traffic patterns and ease of movement for feed from the mill to the bunk, for cattle from the pen to handling facilities and for animal flow through the handling facilities, the scientists say. Is the feedyard clean and well-maintained? Can a group of animals be moved through the alleys and gates without injury and stress? The feedbunks should be clean and allow a minimum of eight inches of space per animal. A concrete apron against the bunk will allow cattle to eat without standing in mud. Pens should be well-drained and should provide dry rest areas, possibly with mounds, in the event of a lot of mud during the feeding time. The sickpen should include both a treatment area and recovery pen. Notice if shelter is available for sick cattle, and if medicine is stored in a secure, clean location. What records are kept on sick cattle and is the facility clean? Feed storage areas should be clean and adequate to protect the quality of the feedstuffs. Look along the bunk lines for spilled or wasted feed. Is the feed high quality and the ration well-mixed? Management Management has a great influence on feed efficiency, animal performance and profitability. The expertise, knowledge and experience of the management are evidenced by the success of the feeding venture. Find out how long the yard has been in business, and how long the manager has worked there. Also ask for references, and donOt hesitate to call them. Also find out how cattle similar to your cattle have performed and how they were marketed. The yard manager should be willing to discuss his expectations with your cattle. Animal Health Animal health is of utmost importance. Sick animals do not perform efficiently and require extra attention and medication. Prevention or early pulls are important. Find out what procedures are followed in receiving cattle and what the yardOs vaccination program is. Also ask how often the pens are checked. What is the morbidity and mortality rates? Does the yard follow Beef Quality Assurance practices? Feeding Program 
Efficient and economical gains are the measure of a successful feeding program. Find out the expected rate of gain, cost of gain and feed conversion rate. Know how often the cattle are fed, and the net energy values and the dry matter content of the ration. Are the bunks cleaned, and do the cattle appear content? Marketing Developing a marketing plan with the yard manager is crucial. With the variety of marketing opportunities available today, find out where your cattle have the potential to make the most money. Does a grid offer premiums that your cattle might receive, or is the cash market best? Decide how much control you will maintain in marketing the cattle, and stay informed. Also discuss risk management strategies. Does the yard offer these services for the feed and cattle? Accounting Understand how the feedyard determines costs before your cattle feeding venture begins. Most custom yards charge a daily yardage fee that covers facility upkeep, labor and management. Find out how the cost of feed is determined and how vaccines and medicines are priced. Is there a processing fee for all incoming cattle? How often does the yard bill their customers? Does the yard offer financing? What is the interest rate? Information Some yards now offer electronic identification for individual calves. The EID can be used to collect performance and/or carcass information. Find out if the yards give this information back to the producer. Is their performance information exact for each calf or estimated on the average? Is the carcass information measured? Summary It is important to collect a variety of information about a feedyard before your cattle feeding venture begins. Balance the costs of trucking, personal time and cost of feeding with the quality produced, market opportunities, and overall costs per head. Based on this information and recommendations, select a feedyard you trust. |
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