Don Bond Feedlot Study evaluates profit for a sixty-cow herd of black Angus in Vernon, Texas. These calves are in the Coleman natural beef program, with a bonus of 100 plus 35 dollars from the Certified Angus Beef Association for nonuse antibiotics. Don Bond has a history of four years from the exact genetics of his 60-cow herd to evaluate the effect of STOCKER/ADULT IMMUNE PRIMER.
Don Bond Feedlot Study: The product was given at weaning at one ounce daily for three days, along with routine processing, vaccination, castrating, and worming. Calves were back-grounded for roughly six weeks before traveling to the local feedlot for finishing. Don Bond retains ownership and has provided complete records with closeout comparisons for the past four years. I have calculated the financial advantage of using STOCKER/ADULT IMMUNE PRIMER on a per-head basis.
Financial Advantage
| This year on product | 3 year average | Financial advantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % grading choice( calculating 12 cents per pound bonus for choice vs select on 1300 pound animal) | 92.7 | 85.3 | $11.54 |
| Certified Angus beef bonus for choice | $2.59 | ||
| Dressing % (calculating $1.36 per pound hot carcass) | 61.7 | 62.8 | <$11.96> |
| %sick and treated with antibiotics ( Calculated at 1.5 treatments at $20 per treat) | 6 | 21.3 | $4.59 |
| % death loss (calculated at a 500-pound animal at $1.35 per pound) | 1.6 | 1.96 | $3.06 |
| Medical cost ( antibiotic cost ) | $1.22 | $7.51 | $6.19 |
| Average daily gain( calculated on 800 # of gain) | 3.16 | 2.83 | $83.49 |
| Yard cost savings on 30 days( 253 on feed vs. 283 days at $.25 cents per day) | $7.50 | ||
| Coleman dropout and CAB loss at $135 per head because of the use of antibiotics. | $20.65 | ||
| TOTAL | $127.61 | ||
| Subtract cost of five ounces of product ( $7.00 per ounce ) | -$35.00 | ||
| Net profit per head advantage | $92.61 | ||
Bovine Feedlots
A bovine feedlot is a large, fenced area where cattle are kept and fed a grain-based diet until they are ready for slaughter:
Purpose
Feedlots are used to ensure cattle reach a specific weight and provide consistent meat quality and quantity.
Location
Feedlots can be outdoor or indoor, depending on the climate:
Outdoor: These feedlots are standard in drier climates with large expanses of land, such as Texas, Nebraska, and eastern Colorado.
Indoor: These feedlots are standard in areas with higher rainfall and are typically smaller than outdoor feedlots. They have walls and roofs and often have slatted floors to allow manure and other waste to pass through.
Cattle
Cattle are fed a mix of grain, silage, hay, and protein supplements. Their average daily weight gain is between 2.5 and 4 pounds.
Length of stay
Depending on their weight, cattle may spend a few months to nearly a year in a feedlot. The typical stay is slightly less than six months.
Size
Feedlots can contain tens of thousands of animals.
Labeling
Beef products labeled “grain-fed” come from cattle that have spent an average of 50 to 120 days in a feedlot.
Feedlots are also known as animal feeding operations (AFOs) or concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
