Typical Beef Feedlot Diets

High energy feed such as grain corn is most often used in finishing diets, however, other feeds general in combination with corn, or corn products, can also be used. The key is to ensure the ration is balanced to achieve your target rate of gain. Many feedlot operators aim for a gain of 100 lbs./month or an average daily gain of 3 lbs. or better per animal. Listed below are a few sample feedlot rations to review.

Assumptions

Backgrounding yearling diets (Rations #1 and #2) - average daily gain ADG) approximately 2.5 lbs. daily
Finishing diets (Rations #3 and #8) - average daily gain (ADG) - approximately 3 lbs./day
Dry matter (DM) intake - approximately 2% of body weight for finishing diets

Ration #1 - Backgrounding Diet (900 lb. yearlings)

	Kgs. Fed/Day	Lbs. Fed/Day
Corn Silage	15	33
HM Corn + Cob Meal	3.5	7.7
Corn Gluten	2	4.4
Mineral/Salt - Premix	.120	.26

Ration #2 - Backgrounding Diet (l,000 lb. yearlings)

	Kgs. Fed/Day	Lbs. Fed/Day
Hay	1	2.2
Corn Silage	14	30
Dry Corn	5	11
Supplement	.6	1.3

Plus Salt

Ration #3 - Finishing Diet (1,250 Steers)

	Kgs. Fed/Day	Lbs. Fed/Day
Dry Hay	1	2.2
Corn	7	15.4
Barley	4	8.8
Wheat	1	2.2
Supplement/Premix	.7	1.5

Plus Salt

Ration #4 - Finishing Diet (1,300 Heifers)

	Kgs. Fed/Day	Lbs. Fed/Day
Corn Silage	8	17.6
Dry Corn	3	6.6
HM Corn & Cob	8	17.6
Corn Gluten	2	4.4

Plus Salt and Mineral

Ration #5 - Finishing Diet (1,200 Steers/Heifers)

	Kgs. Fed/Day	Lbs. Fed/Day
Dry Corn	6	13.2
HM Corn	6	13.2
Corn Silage	4.5	9.9
Supplement	.7	1.5

Plus Salt

Ration #6 - Finishing Diet (1,100 Steers)

	Kgs. Fed/Day	Lbs. Fed/Day
Dry Corn	8	17.6
Barley	2	4.4
Alfalfa Silage	2	4.4
Corn Silage	2	4.4
Soybean Meal	.5	1.1
Limestone	.07	.16
TM Salt	.04	.09

Ration #7 - Finishing Diet (Average Weight - 1,300 lbs.)

	Kgs. Fed/Day	Lbs. Fed/Day
HM Corn & Cob Meal	6.8	15
Dry Corn	5	11
Barley	2.3	5
Hay	.9	2
Supplement	.7	1.5

Plus Salt

Ration #8 - Finishing Diet (1,250 Steers)

	Kgs. Fed/Day	Lbs. Fed/Day
Dry Corn	11.4	25
Hay	1.4	3
Supplement/Premix	.7	1.5

Cost of Ration #8 (High Corn Diet) Calculated at Three Different Corn Prices

Assumptions

ADG - 3 lbs/day
Supplement - $350/t
Dry Hay - $100/t

Table 1

Corn Price	Total Daily Feed Cost	Total Feed Cost/lb. of Gain
$100/t	$1.50	50�
$120/t	$1.74	58�
$140/t	$1.98	66�

As indicated in Table #1, the price of corn can have a huge impact on cost of gain. The other important factor that can influence the cost of gain is performance of cattle. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency or feed conversion are both good measures of performance. Factors affecting performance are:

The Ration - quality of feed and balanced for essential nutrients.
Environmental - air quality, animal comfort and bunk space.
Quality of Cattle - genetics, body condition and health.

By Dennis Martin - Beef Feedlot Specialist/OMAFRA
Government of Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs