Optimal Marketing Date of Steers Depends on Marketing Strategy

Authors

James C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Cody J. Schneider, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Kelsey M. Rolfe Rolfe, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Stephen D. Kachman, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Stephen D. Kachman

Date of this Version

2014

Citation

2014 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, UNL Extension MP99, pp. 92-96.

Comments

Copyright © 2014 University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Seven research trials conducted over five years at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln were summarized to determine how animal performance changes through the finishing period on a live and carcass weight basis. Live weight, carcass weight, carcass ADG, and carcass feed efficiency all changed quadratically throughout the feeding period; live ADG and live feed efficiency declined linearly. During times of negative profit margins, optimal profitability for steers marketed on a live-basis occurred by selling early, whereas optimal profitability was achieved by feeding steers marketed on a carcass-basis longer.