Editor’s note
1/14/25 — This new publication is currently only available as a PDF. The full text will be available on this webpage soon. See the Beef Feeding Profitability Tracker (XLSX) for related information.
Although feeding cattle requires considerable management and financial awareness, it is a popular enterprise. Most cattle feeders in Missouri background, finish or add weight to cull cows to increase the revenue of a cow-calf operation or to be involved in the cattle industry without owning a cow herd. Software that tracks inputs — feed, vaccines, livestock risk protection (LRP) insurance cost, management fees, buying price, death loss, and interest — can be expensive to purchase. University of Missouri Extension’s Beef Feeding Profitability Tracker offers a no-cost solution for operators to track and improve their financial standing.
Market conditions and price changes can dramatically change the profitability of feeding or grazing cattle. It is important to have an appropriate risk management strategy in place before making the decision to purchase or retain cattle. For a concise overview of current market conditions in Missouri with data collected by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit MU Extension’s Missouri livestock market watch hub. Livestock risk protection and livestock gross margin insurance are two products that can serve as components of your risk management plan.
Download the PDF for the full publication.