Tend-R-Leen: The original no-roughage feeding program

Higher feed prices and tighter margins are the reality that cattle feeders are facing today. And when margins are tight, maximizing your profit and minimizing losses and expenses is vital. One key area that is important for you to evaluate is the weight at which you market your cattle. Feeding them out to heavier weights does not necessarily translate into more profit.

As cattle get heavier, their feed efficiency declines. Dennis Martin, Feedlot Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, states that heavy cattle on a finishing diet will generally eat about two percent of body weight in dry matter (this may vary depending on type of cattle, environment, and ration fed). Once cattle reach their ideal market weight and finish, their dry matter intake (DMI) as a percent to body weight will drop. As well, they will convert feed less efficiently, resulting in lower average daily gains. As days on feed are extended, this drop in performance will increase daily expenses and potential discounts. Martin also notes that performance drops as days on feed increase. Feed efficiency declines and Average Daily Gain (ADG) decreases, as days beyond ideal market weight are extended. (See Table 1.) Rumen health also becomes an important consideration the longer cattle are held past optimum weight and finish. Declining rumen health will cause even lower ADG's and may also cause founder or laminitis.

Table 1. Expected Performance of Holstein Steers at

Various Weights, Minnesota

Weight, lb	ADG, lb	ADFI, lb	Feed/gain
4 to 500	3.16	14.2	4.48
5 to 600	3.14	15.1	4.82
6 to 700	3.08	16.5	5.37
7 to 800	2.99	18.4	6.14
8 to 900	2.87	20.5	7.13
9 to 1000	2.72	22.6	8.32
10 to 1100	2.53	24.6	9.73
11 to 1200	2.31	26.2	11.36

Different breeds of cattle will finish at different weights due to body type and frame scores. Frame scores are an numerical description of cattle skeletal size which reflect the growth pattern and potential mature size of an animal. Frame score values typically range from 2 to 9 and are calculated from hip height and age. Frame scores can be used to project mature size, provide an indication of composition, and characterize performance potential and nutritional requirements of an animal. (See Table 2 below.) Cattle on the Tend-R-Leen program, because of the high energy program, do not develop as large a frame size, and finish at a lower weight.

Table 2. Relationship of frame size to projected mature cow weight and slaughter weight at Choice Quality Grade.

BIF Numerical Frame Score	USDA Feeder Calf Frame Size	Mature Cow Weight	Steer Slaughter Weight	Heifer Slaughter Weight
2	Small	955	850	700
3		1030	950	800
4	Medium	1100	1050	900
5		1175	1150	1000
6	Large	1250	1250	1100
7		1320	1350	1200
8		1395	1450	1300
9		1470	1550	1400

Source: Adapted from Boggs , South Dakota State University, 1991

Using economic projections to input your numbers can help you determine the best weight to market your cattle. Your goal should be to market as soon as they will grade choice. However, adding an extra 100 or even 200 pounds may not be helping your checkbook. Pay careful attention to profit per head and break even in your projections, you may be surprised by what you see. The chart below demonstrates the profit and performance factors of marketing cattle at three different finished weights. All projections were calculated using the same input figures: Corn: $5.00/bu., Calf price: $100, Interest: 7%, Vet & med: $18.00/head, Yardage: $0.25/hd/day

Performance Measurements of Marketing Cattle at Various Weights

Weight	1,270 lbs.	1,400 lbs.	1,500 lbs.
Feed Expense	$708.95	$836.38	$925.39
Total Expense	$967.28	$1,114.82	$1,214.00
Income at $0.84/lb.	$1,066.80	$1,176.00	$1,251.60
Expected Profit	$99.52	$61.18	$37.00
Days on Feed	414	472	513
Feed cost/lb. of gain	.61	.64	.67
Breakeven	$0.76	$0.80	$0.82
Lbs. feed/lb. gain	5.11	5.55	5.81
Bushels of corn	94	114	128

As you can see in the table, profit per head steadily declines as cattle weights get heavier. The break even cost and the cost per pound of gain rise significantly going from 1270 pounds to 1500 pounds. Also look at the number of days on feed it takes to get cattle to 1,500 pounds. By marketing cattle at the lighter weight you not only maximize your profit per head, you also can have a higher turnover and move more cattle through per year.

Calculate your profit opportunity. Visit www.tendrleen.com to download our FREE economic projection program! Or call 1-800-328-8752 for more information or to talk to a Tend-R-Leen Specialist in your area.