Cattle Feed Lot Tour

Cattle Feed

Ask these questions about cattle feed when you talk to a feedyard about feeding your cattle.

What types of cattle feed are used — silage, high-moisture corn, etc.? How are the cattle feed rations formulated? What is the current cattle feed ration cost for top ration on a dry-matter basis? Ask about net energy for gain. Does the cattle feedyard employ a nutritionist on staff? Rations may either be quoted on a dry-matter basis or an as-fed basis (moisture included). If you are comparing cattle feedyards on cattle feed ration cost and feed efficiency, make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

The cattle feeding system at Cactus Feedyard is highly computerized, with the cattle feed ration formulations and amounts being downloaded from the mill to each of the cattle feed trucks when they drive through and load up. Jose Orosco, a 20+-year employee at Cactus Feeders, monitors what he puts out in each bunk using the electronic scale in his truck. Knowing exactly how the process works will increase your level of comfort with the accuracy of your billing.

How often do your cattle feed? This can vary from two to four times a day. Feedyards have trained bunk readers who check the bunks on a regular basis so that the mill can deliver the correct amount of cattle feed to each pen. The goal is to always keep cattle feed in front of the cattle but minimize "leftovers" so that the cattle feed is always fresh. Also, ask about bunk space per head, which can vary around eight inches in the summer to 10 inches or so in the winter.

Ask to take a look around the cattle feedyard's feed mill and see what type of grain processing they offer — cracked, steam, whole, etc. The type of cattle feed processing used will impact both nutritional value and cost. Corn is processed through this steamroller at temperatures up to 200 degrees. Find out if the cattle feed rations are mixed in a batch at the mill or in the truck.

Another important area to know about is the cattle feed mill's quality control process. This is the cattle feed quality control room at Cactus Feedyard, where corn is being weighed and analyzed. What type of monitoring system does the cattle feedyard have for moisture content and defects? How do they receive and store commodities? All of this affects the quality of the cattle feed your cattle will consume. Other things to think about are the mill's safety record and whether your cattle feed ration cost can be locked in.