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Feedyard Performance Trends and Analysis
Performance results were analyzed from 43,629 lots of cattle closed between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016. The objectives of the work were to identify performance norms, including mean results and variation, and to identify sources of variation which are known at the time of placement. Lots were identified as steers (50.0% of lots, 54.2% of head), heifers (34.9%, 33.7%), mixed sex pens (8.9%, 5.2%), dairy breed steers (5.7%, 6.3%), cows and bulls. Participating feedyards were in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Mean performance of all lots was 354 kg placement weight, 619 kg end weight, 167 days on feed, 1.55 kg average daily gain, 9.97 kg average daily feed consumption (dry basis) and feed conversion of 6.52. Steer lots were heavier than heifers (placement weight of 372 kg compared to 344, end weight of 647 kg compared to 584). Compared to heifers, steers gained 10.7% faster, consumed 6.6% more feed per day and converted feed 3.5% more efficiently (all P<0.001). Heifers consumed more feed per unit of weight (2.08% of body weight per day compared to 2.02%). Weight at placement influenced performance results. In steers, increasing placement weight by 100 kg increased end weight by 38.1 kg, average daily gain by .16 kg, and daily feed consumption by 1.4 kg and decreased days on feed by 54.4. In heifers corresponding slopes were 48.2, .17, 1.5 and -51.5. Placement weight accounted for only 4% of the variation in feed conversion in steers and 5% in heifers. After adjusting for sex, placement weight and season, cattle which were fed flaked grain consumed less feed, gained faster and converted feed more efficiently than cattle fed predominately non-flaked grain. Regional differences in performance were influenced by grain processing method and season. Cattle fed to heavier weights were less efficient. Mean death loss was 1.83%. Steers, heifers or mixed sex lots with placement weight between 200 and 299 kg averaged 3.10% dead, with placement weight between 300 and 399 kg death loss was 1.59% and with placement weight between 400 and 499 kg death loss was 1.05%. In all weight classes, the most common death loss result was zero, with highest death loss exceeding 20% in individual lots. Population data like these can be used to develop prediction models or to assess normalcy of observed results.