Winter Feeding Options for Calves
Many producers may be looking at retaining animals on the farm this fall, in particular producers who would normally be selling calves. The following budgets are designed as a guideline only, to assist producers in estimating feed, other operating costs, and the fixed costs that may be involved in retaining animals under several feeding regimes. These will help to determine what the cost may be, to carry animals on the farm, to extend into a more distant marketing window. It will nonetheless remain critical to determine an acceptable financial situation if calves are marketed in the fall as usual. Perhaps cattle producers may also choose to sit on two sides of the fence – marketing some calves and retaining the rest. In these budgets, fixed costs have not been included but generally range from $20 - $22 per head. Be certain that you have adequate quantity and quality water and feed supplies on hand before starting a feeding program. Feed values used are the same as the previous Ration Planning article.
| Backgrounding Costs 450–650 lbs (1.5 lbs/day for 130 days) |
Backgrounding Costs 500–900 lbs (2.5 lbs/day for 160 days) |
Feedlot Finishing Costs 650–1400 lbs (3 lbs/day for 250 days) |
Shortkeep Feeder Costs 850–1400 lbs (3.5 lbs/day for 157 days) | |
| Operating Costs | Cost/Head | Cost/Head | Cost/Head | Cost/Head |
| Feed Costs | ||||
| Ground Barley | 18.96 | 37.92 | 168.62 | 137.38 |
| Barley Silage | - | 73.44 | 42.19 | 25.43 |
| Hay | 67.60 | 2.60 | 2.44 | |
| Supplement | 14.30 | 17.60 | 22.00 | 12.95 |
| Total Feed Costs | $100.86 | $131.56 | $235.25 | $175.76 |
| Other Operating Costs | ||||
| Straw | 5.20 | 6.40 | 11.00 | 5.50 |
| Veterinary Medicine and Supplies | 15.34 | 15.34 | 17.73 | 10.68 |
| Annual Fuel and Repair Costs | 3.60 | 4.50 | 7.20 | 7.20 |
| Utilities | 4.48 | 5.60 | 5.60 | 5.60 |
| Insurance | 1.43 | 1.43 | 1.46 | 1.46 |
| Manure Removal | 4.32 | 5.40 | 5.40 | 5.40 |
| Barn and Office Supplies | 0.26 | 0.32 | 0.32 | 0.32 |
| Death Loss | 1.02 | 1.28 | 1.42 | 0.53 |
| Subtotal Operating Costs | 136.51 | 171.83 | 285.38 | 212.45 |
| Operating Interest | 1.22 | 1.88 | 4.86 | 2.28 |
| Total Operating Costs | $137.73 | $173.71 | $290.24 | $214.73 |