Cattle CODE: Coproduct Optimizer Decision Evaluator

Authors

Crystal D. Buckner, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Darrell Mark, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Virgil R. Bremer, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2008

Comments

Published in Journal of Extension, August 2008, Volume 46, Number 4, Article Number 4TOT6. Copyright 2008. Used by permission.

Abstract

Expansion of the corn-based ethanol industry in recent years has resulted in a growing supply of coproduct feeds. These coproducts result in significant improvements in cattle performance and are often priced lower than corn on a dry matter basis. Along with these benefits to feeding ethanol coproduct feeds, cattle feeders must also account for additional transportation costs to originate the coproducts and for added expenses to handle, mix, and deliver the feed ration within the feedlot. An economic budget model, called Cattle CODE, was created to help feeders, nutritionists, and Extension educators evaluate these nonlinear effects across unique feeding situations.