  BeefTalk:
Retained Ownership -- Is Your Decision Based on Factual Data?
By Kris Ringwall, Extension Beef Specialist,
NDSU Extension Service
News drives our world. We want it as fast as we can get it. Have you ever
stopped to think about how much of our day depends on what is reported to us --
not experienced by us?
This thought may seem minor, but have you considered the last decision you
made? Was that decision based on factual data, or was it based on something
someone told you? Is what someone told you based on something they read, or just
on something they heard? When is reality only a figment of your perception? Was
your perception grounded in fact?
The beef business, both market and production, is often based on someone else’s
opinion. But when you’re addressing issues related to your own operation, the
correct analysis of that opinion is critical. This winter, several people told
me cattle feeding is tough--bills are high and performance is low. Fact or
fiction?
At the North Dakota State University Dickinson Research Extension Center, I
would rather base my conclusion on fact.
In an earlier column, I discussed the concept of benchmarks and how producers
can grasp the current situation and react accordingly--based on benchmark data.
In 1996, the center started retaining ownership through the feeding phase. We
shipped one load of calves on Nov. 22, 1996, and the second load on Dec. 4.
The learning curve started immediately. One of the first lessons learned was
to make sure the trucks are clean when the calves are loaded. The calves on the
second load were pretty gimpy when they got off the truck. Ever since then, any
calves loaded at the DREC are loaded on clean trucks. The first lot of steers
gained 3.73 pounds per day through the interim weigh day (60 days on feed) and
the second lot gained 4.06 pounds per day after 79 days on feed. Feed costs for
the first year through March 15 were $1.50 per head per day and $1.44 per head
per day for the two lots, respectively, and total costs were $1.70 per head per
day and $1.65 per head per day, respectively, giving us our first benchmark for
feeding cattle.
The center’s actual net return per calf was $55 per head. At least the DREC
was on the positive side of the margin. In 1997, one lot of steers was fed. The
steers left on Dec. 18 and gained 4.34 pounds per day after 56 days in the yard.
Feed costs up to March 15 were $1.44 per head per day and total costs were $1.65
per head per day. The second benchmark was expensive. Improved performance and
lower costs could not offset a poor market and the center lost more than it made
the first year.
In 1998, the steers were shipped Dec. 17 and after 69 days on feed were
gaining 3.97 pounds per day. Feed costs were low, at $1.12 per head per day and
$1.37 per head per day total costs. The DREC profited more than the first year,
and was back in the black.
The fourth year, with calves born in 1999, two lots of steers were fed, each
gaining 4.35 and 5.01 pounds per day after 75 and 68 days, respectively, in the
feed yard. Feed costs were $1.20 per head per day and $1.35 per head per day for
each lot, with total costs at $1.42 per head per day and $1.59 per head per day,
respectively. Another year of great performance, reasonable costs and positive
returns marked this fourth set of bench marks.
Now, back to the original question, "Is this a bad year to feed
cattle?" The news says it is.
This year our cattle, checked in Dec. 15, are gaining 4.12 pounds per day,
eating $1.53 per head per day and accruing a total daily charge of $1.77 per
head per day. Based on our history, I would say the cattle are gaining right on
target but costing slightly more (7 cents per head per day) than
1996--certainly, not vastly different than previous years.
Was your perception grounded in fact? Is this a bad year? May you find all
your ear tags.
Your comments are always welcome at www.BeefTalk.com
For more information, contact the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement
Association, 1133 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601 or go to www.CHAPS2000.COM
on the Internet. In correspondence about this column, refer to BT0032.
###
Source: Kris Ringwall, (701) 483-2045, kringwal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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