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.