Iowa Beef Center
Sale Barn Calculator             

The Sale Barn Calculator is an application designed for handheld computers using Palm OS operating systems.  This application can be used to quickly figure a maximum bid per cwt for livestock entering a sale ring. 

USE:
Enter the appropriate data regarding the type of animal being purchased into the calculator software before hand. We used previous feeding performance for yearling steers in the example provided below but scenarios for Holsteins, heifers and calves also can be created. As animals are brought into the ring, the average weight per head can be indicated and the maximum bid for the given scenario is automatically calculated.

N = New scenario.      Select N before providing a new scenario.

V = View scenario.     Select V to view the scenarios you have already provided and to find the one you wish to work with.

S = Save scenario.     Select S to save a new scenario.

D = Delete scenario.  Select D to delete a scenario that you have already saved but no longer wish to maintain.

Example of Sale Barn Calculator inputs:

Pay Wt. In:  750 Shrink %:    3
yr -steers Pay Wt. Out:  1300
N Sale Price $:  66.50
V NFV Cost $ /cwt:  13.00

S

Feed Cost $/cwt:  33.00

Other Costs $/hd:  8.00

D Desired Return $/hd:  20.00
Max Bid $/cwt:   75.55

Using your own records and experience provide and save ahead of time: