Feedlot Management Basics

To ensure a profitable operation, a feedlot manager must keep a close eye on price and feed margins, as well as the health of the animals. This involves constant, hands-on management.

The price paid for feedlot cattle is a key factor in determining the profitability of a feedlot enterprise, especially when there is a small or negative feed margin. In turn, the cost of a carbohydrate (usually maize, hominy chop or other grains) is crucial, due to the high proportion of energy required for good feedlot performance. Sound management is therefore extremely important. This includes the following:

Buying the right type of animal at the right price and at the right time.

Providing a balanced, cost effective feedlot ration with a nutrient content matched to the type of animal being fed. The feedlot manager can achieve this by recording animal performance and monitoring results. A nutritionist should be employed to balance the ration, as this is a specialised task requiring feed quality and ingredient costs to be monitored over time.

Ensuring that the feed bins are always full, fresh water is available, and the animals are processed properly, adapted on arrival and marketed when ready.