  BeefTalk:
Steer 2180 Sets the Performance Goal
By Kris Ringwall, Extension Beef Specialist,
NDSU Extension Service
Most producers avoid number crunching because they don’t have the patience to
assimilate the numbers and because the resulting analysis of the numbers may
drive them to be too practical. Yet, the numbers are necessary to review your
operation.
Data analysis can be the foundation for daydreaming – or should I say,
letting pleasant thoughts challenge your management. Daydreaming does not come
easy for the agricultural industry because we seem to be programmed to be
negative.
There are those producers who would say this negative focus is the sign of
the times. If that is true, these times have been around for a long time. Think
back in your lifetime and see if you recall similar situations. Can you look at
the good, without thinking of the potential bad? The older generation makes the
decisions, but ... It’s a nice day, but … It finally rained, but . . . It looks
like lots a hay this year, but . . . The calves are sure growing, but . . .
Forget the buts, and let’s dream. Here are some baseline numbers to set the
dream up, a dream we were able to live at the North Dakota State University
Dickinson Research Extension Center.
Earlier this year we received the close out report of lot 2369. There are
reams of information. The 86 steers were placed on feed Nov. 1, and the lot
closed out on June 24.
The pen netted $67.61 per head. The calves’ value going in was $507, so total
revenue available in support of the Center’s cow calf enterprise was $574. The
average market date was May 6 with an average live weight of 1,177 pounds per
head. In general the pen averaged 64 percent choice or better, 34 percent select
and one percent standard.
In terms of yield grade, 27 percent were yield grade 2, 60 percent were yield
grade 3 and 13 percent were yield grade 4. On the rail, 12 percent were less
than 650 pounds, 81 percent were 650 to 850 pounds and 7 percent were over 850
pounds.
In terms of ribeye, 26 percent were less than 11 square inches and 74 percent
were between 11 to 16 square inches. The average gain was 3.22 pounds per day
while in the feed yard and the cattle converted at 5.5 pounds per pound of dry
feed.
One bloated for a lot death loss rate of just over 1 percent. As with most
feedlot data, the challenge is how to absorb, shuffle and change management or
genetics to better the outcome, to challenge the status quo.
Looking at the individual steer data creates all kinds of scenarios. Using a
market-adjusted net return (MANR), where the price is adjusted to remove the
price differences associated with when the steer was marketed, the top animal
was steer 2180.
Steer 2180, was a 4.8 frame steer on arrival at the lot, gained 3.7 pounds
per day, had a 5.3 pound feed efficiency with carcass yield grade of 2.6,
quality grade of sterling silver (calf was red), a ribeye of 13.6 square inches
and weighed 866 pounds on the rail. The steer actually sold for $137.15 per
hundredweight (carcass weight) for $1,188 total.
Now, dream and image all of your calves, peas in pod, standing side by side,
each handing you greenbacks to the tune of $1,188. On 85 steers, that would mean
$100,980 in family revenue. And, there is still another lot to close out--the
lot of best steers you saved for last.
The family is jubilant and the very best steer is in the freezer, with
char-broiled steaks simmering for the evening supper, fresh with local garden
produce and fresh wheat bread, hand milled from this years wheat crop, the
butter slightly melted to engage the home-grown garlic.
No need to wake up, just keep dreaming and remember steer 2180, 4.8 frame,
3.7 pounds per day, 5.3 pound feed efficiency, yield grade of 2.6, quality grade
of sterling silver, a rib eye of 13.6 square inches and 866 pounds on the rail.
When you wake up, just be bidding on the bull that can make more calves like
Steer 2180.
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 BT0153.
###
Source: Kris Ringwall, (701) 483-2427, kringwal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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And the Winner Is: Steer 2180
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Frame score 4.8
Average daily gain 3.7 lbs per day
Feed efficiency 5.3 lbs per lb of dry feed
Carcass yield grade score 2.6
Quality grade Sterling Silver
(upper choice red calf)
Rib eye area 13.6 square inches
Hot carcass weight 866 lbs
Value on the rail $ 137.15 per cwt
Total value $ 1,188
Actual net return $ 253
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