Discovering value in North Dakota calves: Dakota Feeder Calf Show feedout project XIX, 2020-2021

The Dakota Feeder Calf Show feedout project helps North Dakota cattle producers discover the actual value of their spring-born beef steer calves, provide comparisons among herds, and benchmark feeding and carcass performance. Cattle consigned to the feedout project were delivered to the Carrington Research Extension Center Livestock Unit on Oct. 17, 2020. After a 222-day feeding period with 3.28% death loss, cattle averaged 1379.9 pounds (shrunk harvest weight). Feed required per pound of gain was 7.3 (dry-matter basis). Overall pen average daily gain was 3.27 pounds. Feed cost per pound of gain was $0.58 and total cost per pound of gain was $0.83. Profit ranged from $367.58 per head for pen-of-three cattle with superior growth and carcass traits to $90.65 per head (no death loss). Substantial variability in the feeding and carcass value of spring-born calves continues to be discovered through participation in the feedout project.

Cow calf produces need to remain competitive with other livestock and poultry in the meat industry. By determining calf value in a feedout program, cow-calf producers can identify superior genetics under common feedlot management. Marketplace premiums are provided for calves that have exceptional feedlot performance and produce a high-quality carcass.

Cost-effective feeding performance is needed to justify the expense of feeding cattle past weaning. Because North Dakota has low-cost feeds and a favorable climate, low cost per pound of gain can be accomplished.

Combining the low cost of gains with the identification of superior cattle, this ongoing feedlot project provides cattle producers with an understanding of cattle feeding and cattle selection in North Dakota.

The Dakota Feeder Calf Show was developed for cattle producers willing to consign steer calves to a show and feedout project. The calves were received in groups of three or four on Oct. 17, 2020, at the Turtle Lake (N.D.) Weighing Station for weighing, tagging, veterinary processing and showing. The calves were evaluated for conformation and uniformity, with the judges providing a discussion to the owners at the beginning of the feedout. The number of cattle consigned was 122, of which 104 competed in the pen-of-three contest.

The calves then were shipped to the Carrington Research Extension Center, Carrington, N.D., for feeding. Prior to shipment, calves were vaccinated, implanted with Synovex-S, dewormed and injected with a prophylactic long-acting antibiotic.

Calves then were sorted and placed on corn-based receiving diets. After an eight-week backgrounding period, the calves were transitioned to a 0.62 megacalorie of net energy for gain (Mcal NEg) per pound finishing diet. Cattle were weighed every 28 days, and updated performance reports were provided to the owners. Cattle were reimplanted with Synovex-Choice on Jan. 12, 2021.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic restricts, no formal meeting was conducted for reviewing cattle while being fed. Instead, the cattle owners were invited to review the calves any time prior to harvest.

The cattle were harvested on May 26, 2019 (117 head). The cattle were sold to Tyson Fresh Meats, Dakota City, Neb., on a grid basis, with premiums and discounts based on carcass quality. One calf was harvest locally due to lameness. Carcass data were collected after harvest.

Ranking in the pen-of-three competition was based on the best overall score. The overall score was determined by adding the index values for feedlot average daily gain (25% of score), marbling score (25% of score) and profit (25% of score) and subtracting index value for calculated yield grade (25% of score). The Dakota Feeder Calf Show provided awards and recognition for the top-ranking pen of steers.

Cattle consigned to the Dakota Feeder Calf Show feedout project averaged 602.5 pounds upon delivery to the Carrington Research Extension Center Livestock Unit on Oct. 17, 2020. After an average 222-day feeding period, cattle averaged 1,374.9 pounds (at plant, shrunk weight). Death loss was 3.28% (four head) during the feeding period.

Average daily feed intake per head was 36 pounds on an as-fed basis and 23.8 pounds on a dry-matter basis. Pounds of feed required per pound of gain were 11 on an as-fed basis and 7.27 pounds on a dry-matter basis.

The overall feed cost per pound of gain was $0.58. The overall yardage cost per pound of gain was $0.10. The combined cost per pound of gain, including feed, yardage, veterinary, trucking and other expenses except interest, was $0.83.

Calves were priced by weight upon delivery to the feedlot. The pricing equation ($ per 100 pounds = (-0.031048183* initial calf weight, pounds) + 165.6103046) was determined by regression analysis on local livestock auction prices reported for the weeks before and after delivery.

Overall, the carcasses contained U.S. Department of Agriculture Quality Grades at 10.2% Prime, 79.6% Choice (including 22.9% Certified Angus Beef), and 10.2% Select, and USDA Yield Grades at 1.7% YG1, 19.5% YG2, 39.0% YG3, 32.2% YG4 and 7.6% YG5.

Carcass value per 100 pounds (cwt) was calculated using the actual base carcass price plus premiums and discounts for each carcass. The grid price received for May 26, 2021, was $194.43 Choice YG3 base with premiums: Prime $15, CAB $6, YG1 $6.50 and YG2 $3, and discounts: Select minus $14, Standard (no roll) minus $15, YG4 minus $8, YG5 minus $20 and carcasses greater than 1050 pounds minus $20.

Results from the calves selected for the pen-of-three competition are listed in Table 1.

1 - Marbling score 300-399 = select, 400-499 = low choice, 500-599 = average choice, 600-699 = high choice, 700-799 = low prime

Overall, the pen-of-three calves averaged 420 days of age and 1,435.6 pounds per head at harvest. The overall pen-of-three feedlot average daily gain was 3.54 pounds, while weight gain per day of age was 3.30 pounds. The overall pen-of-three marbling score was 543.6 (average choice, modest marbling).

Correlations between profit and average birth date, harvest weight, average daily gain, weight per day of age or marbling score are shown in Table 2. Average harvest weight, average daily gain and marbling score had higher correlations to profitability than average birth date, average weight per day of age or yield grade. 

The top-profit pen-of-three calves with superior genetics returned $367.58 per head, while the bottom pen-of-three calves returned $90.65 per head. The average of the five top-scoring pens of steers averaged $320.86 per head, while the average of the bottom five scoring pens of steers averaged $131.84 per head.

For the pen-of-three competition, average profit was $196.70 per head. The spread in profitability between the top and bottom five herds was $189.02 per head.

Calf value is improved with superior carcass and feedlot performance. Exceptional average daily gains, weight per day of age, harvest weight and marbling score can be found in North Dakota beef herds. Feedout projects provide a source of information for cattle producers to learn about feedlot performance and individual animal differences, and discover cattle value.