How much does it cost to feed a feeder calf?
calves at $1.09per cwt. with a 3% pencil shrink for an average cost per calf of $634.38. Other costs are estimated to total $356.94 for total expenses per head of $991.32.
Is there money in feeder calves?
The calves’ value is based on what they are expected to be sold for, either out of the feedlot or out of a backgrounding operation, less the cost of gain. Each $1 change in the cost of gain will raise or lower the price finishers can pay by $1.40 for a 500-pound calf and $0.64 for a 750-pound feeder.
What is the best feed for feeder calves?
A typical creep feeding ration is corn or a mixture of 65 percent corn and 35 percent oats. Place beef feeder calves on good quality pasture to economically gain weight. After weaning, calves enter a growing phase.
What is a 500 lb calf worth?
The long-term average is roughly 55 cents per pound of gain. For example, if the price of a 500-pound calf is $1.40 per pound and the price of a 600-pound calf is $1.26, the value of those 100 pounds of gain is $56 or 56 cents per pound.
How long does it take to raise a calf to butcher?
Forage-finished calves will often be slaughtered near 1,000 pounds live weight. It will take over a year (367 days) to grow a 500-pound calf to 1,000 pounds if its average daily weight gain is 1.5 pounds per day.
Is there money in custom feeding cattle?
Hauling rates range from $1.90 to $2.10 per mile. Usual current rates are about $2.00 per mile to a custom feedlot. Shipment of cattle 300 miles with a 50,000-pound load will add about $1.20/cwt to the cost of the cattle.
What is the most profitable way to raise cattle?
Top 10 Ways to Make Cow Herds More Profitable
- 1 Don’t buy average or inferior bulls.
- 2 Join a cattle marketing alliance.
- 3 Moderate cow size.
- 4 Treat your cows as an employee.
- 5 Cull cows.
- 6 Develop a short and defined breeding season.
- 7 Control feed expenses.
- 8 Utilize heterosis.
How much grain should a calf eat per day?
pound calf will need to consume in the neighborhood of 7 to 8 pounds of grain daily. Small amounts of hay will compliment the grain ration for these 8 to 12 week old animals.
How much corn do I need to feed a 500-pound calf?
(opens in new window)Corn silage rations It takes about 1.1 to 1.3 pounds of a 40 percent protein supplement per head daily to supplement the corn silage intake of 400- to 500-pound calves (Tables 2 and 3).
What is the best time of year to sell cattle?
The best time to sell calves is when the market is high. Traditionally, February and March are the best times of the year. During this time, wheat and oats are readily available for grazing and growing calves.
What is the best age to sell cattle?
Then, recognizing that cows appreciate in the market until they are four years old, hold their own until about six years old and then depreciate, you might want to consider selling most of the cows as bred cows by the time they are six years old.