Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-01-17
Cost of Feeding for Beef.

What does it really cost to feed cattle,
and is there q reasonable profit in the
business? will give my experience, and
hope that some kind reader will reciprO-
cate. For our present purpose, no
account is taken of interest on the money
invested, the care of the stock, or the
use of the yards. The expense for the
last two items is fully covered by the
benefits to the farm. Don't forget this
item-the benefits to the farm.
Last year l fed ninety-six steers an
average of is months. l had ninety
four shotes and raised 2O3 pigs. The
corn-fed average IA 9 bushels for each
steer per month net Chicago weights
over weights paid for when the cattle
were bought. The whole gain on the
cattle was $4,000 pounds, and on the
hogs 3O,2SO pounds. II we divide the
corn fed between the hogs and cattle
in the ratio of their gain-say nothing
about the hay, pasture, fodder, etc.
we will have two-fifths of the corn fed
to charge to the hogs, and of course
three-ffths to the cattle. The whole
gain of beef and pork averaged 6.8
pounds for each bushel of corn fed. The
cost of each pound of grain, counting
everything, was 5.S cents, corn costing
on an average thirty-four cents.
Cattle made gross profit of S4251 Az.
Hogs made a gross profit of Sls63. 79.
So that on tho basis of profits the di-
vision of the corn fed should be about
rs above stated. Whole profit on hogs
and cattle, S6ll5.2l. Whole cost of
corn, hay, fodder and pasture, S44ll.70.
Net profit for the year, Sl703.51. The
cattle were sold at about Sl.9O over cost
price and the hogs at 81 over invoice
price.
Two years ago fed 135 steers an
average of 7.9 months. The corn fed
averaged 1885 bushels for each steer per
month. Net gain fifty-two pounds per
month. Whole gain on the cattle was
$500 pounds. The average gain on
the hogs was little more than the first
year given, leaving fully two-ffths of
the corn fed to be charged to the hogs.
The whole gain for each bushel of corn
fed was 6.S5 pounds. Net cost of each
pound of gain 4.47 cents, corn costing
twenty-eight cents. The increased gain
for the corn fed is accounted for, in part,
at least, by the fact that this years ac-
count was opened Aug. l6, and closed
one year from the next December, thus
giving two falls for feed-the best and
cheapest time to feed any kind of stock.
The low monthly gain is also due in part
to the fact that most of these cattle were
bought under heavy shrink. And yet
you will observe that low monthly
gain is not inconsistent with cheap
gain. These cattle made gross profit
of S9S4.O4 and the hogs Sl777.79, so that
ON this basis the division of corn fed
should be about one-third to the hogs.
Whole profit, gross, S576l.S3; whole
cost of corn, fodder, pasture, S4l2O.5O;
net profit for the year, Sl841.33.
The cattle sold at about 81 over cost
price, and the hogs at about invoice
price.
Three years ago I fed fifty-two steers
an average of IT months. The corn
fed averaged fourteen bushels per month
each. Net gain fifty-nine pounds per
month. Whole gain on cattle 23,72O
pounds, on hogs, 1910 pounds. The
gain on the hogs is not up to the average
in the other two years, the reason being
that was short of hogs all the earlier
part of the year, and was afraid to buy
on account of sickness. The whole gain
for each bushel of corn fed was 6.6
pounds, the same as for the first year.
Each pound of gain cost 4.2S cents, corn,
cents. Gross profit on cattle,
s2272 .23, on hogs, 1884 %. Whole profit,
S2SO6. SO. Cost of all feed and extra
labor, S159046. Net profit for the year,
sl2l6. 10 gain in price on cattle, Sl.75,
per hundred pounds hogs about twenty |
five cents per one hundred pounds
American Cultivator.