Nine-year Summary of the Arkansas Steer Feedout Program: Factors Contributing to Value and Return

The objectives of this paper were to evaluate 1) factors affecting return above feedlot expenses; 2) characteristics of calves that did (FIT) or did not NOFIT) fall within a price grid structure based on quality grade, yield grade, and carcass weight; 3) impact of morbidity; and 4) characteristics that impacted initial and final value of calves enrolled in the Arkansas Steer Feedout program. Stepwise regression analysis on 1,917 calves over a 9-yr period indicated quality grade, medical expense, and ADG as significant sources of variation each year. Hot carcass weight and yield grade were significant sources of variation 8 of 9 years. Fifty-eight percent of steers were categorized as NOFIT. Calves categorized as FIT had an 8% greater carcass value and returned $75 more than NOFIT calves (P < 0.001). Overall, 15.7% of the steers completing the program were treated for morbidity. Treated steers experienced slower ADG (P = 0.008), and a greater (P < 0.001) percentage graded USDA Select or were No Roll. Value groups were derived from initial and final price. Thirty-five percent of the steers had above average initial and final values (AA). Similarly, 35% of the steers had less than average initial and final values (BB). Fifteen percent had above average initial value but less than average final value (AB), and 15% had less than average initial value but above average final value (BA). Return from feeding differed (P < 0.001) among treatments and averaged 182.90, 122.53, 78.71 and 28.15 dollars per head for the BA, AA, BB, and AB groups, respectively. These results provide insight into the factors attributing to post-weaning economic losses.