Feeder Cattle Bid Calculator

Items labeled in blue color are user inputs and should be changed to reflect historical feeding data for the given feedyard. Default values packaged and appearing in this spreadsheet are derived from the State of Iowa Feedlot Summary quarterly reports and should be used only if a better estimate is not available. The sheet is split in half allowing for calf and yearling data to be provided separately since cost and feed efficiency may vary to a fair extent.  One could also split this sheet for heifers and steers.  Be sure, though, to use appropriate efficiency and gain numbers if doing this since the numbers provided are steer calf and steer yearling values.

Program Flow

• Provide a low-end corn price and finished cattle price.
• In the area below the price matrix there is an input labeled as “% corn." Consider the normal percent concentrate to be fed and back this number off by 5 to indicate the percent corn.
• Observe the probable feed to gain values for cattle started in spring, summer, winter and fall.  Make adjustments where necessary.
• Adjust values in the assumptions column.  The average daily gain and the feed-to- gain values work as a unit and need to be matched accordingly.

Outputs

Based on the inputs a matrix is calculated describing maximum cattle purchase price per hundredweight across ascending corn and finished cattle prices.  Corn and hay utilization is also estimated and displayed in the assumptions column as “Corn (bu)” and "Hay (ton)."