Economic Analysis of Supplementing DDGS to Grazing Steers

Authors

Andrea K. Watson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry Klopfenstein, Universitiy of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Galen Erickson Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Darrell Mark, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Walter H. Schacht, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2011

Comments

Published in 2011 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Published by the Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Copyright © 2011 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

A five-year study from 2005-2009 was conducted to evaluate differences in three grazing management strategies for backgrounding calves on smooth bromegrass pastures. Economic budgets were used to calculate profit differences. Steers supplemented an average of 5.3 lb/day of distillers grains were 90 lb heavier than either of the unsupplemented groups, which resulted in increased revenue of $49.38 for supplemented steers. Land costs were the same per AUM for all treatments but were decreased on a per head basis for pastures with supplemented cattle because cattle were stocked at higher rates than the control. Profit was greatest for the supplemented steers, although the relationship between prices for land, N fertilizer, and DDGS affects the relative profitability of the treatments.