Beef cattle producers can use the BCRC Winter Feeding Cost Comparison Calculator to calculate and compare the costs of main feed ingredients in different rations.
This calculator compares EXAMPLE RATIONS using general feed ingredients for cost comparison purposes. Producers can formulate an appropriate ration for their cattle in consultation with a qualified nutritionist, ag extension staff or through a software program like CowBytes. When considering alternative feed sources, feed testing is important to test for nutritive value and ensure a balanced ration that meets the cattle’s nutritional needs and quality (e.g. mycotoxins). Evaluate feed test results HERE. Other costs such as yardage or labour are excluded.
Step 1: Enter local price and relevant units in the green cells (choose unit from the drop-down list).
Step 2: Enter herd information in blue cells.
Step 3: Enter ration information in yellow cells (pounds of each ration ingredient on an as-fed basis. Numbers already included are EXAMPLE RATIONS only).
Step 4: Compare costs per head per day and total herd costs of alternative rations in grey cells.
| Local Price** | Example Rations (pounds as fed) Rations 1-6 are presented as pounds per cow per day on an as fed basis |
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| Main Ingredient | $/Unit | Unit (dropdown) |
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| Hay |
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| Cereal Straw |
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| Cereal Silage*** |
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| Cereal Greenfeed |
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| Barley Grain |
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| Corn |
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| Ground Canola |
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| Pellets |
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| Other (i.e. Mineral) |
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| Other (i.e. Protein Supplement) |
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| Other |
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| Other |
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| Total Intake (lbs as fed)* |
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| Total Days on Feed |
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| Herd Size |
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| Estimated Feed Cost Per Head Per Day |
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| Total Winter Feed Costs (for Herd) |
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* Total lbs of dry matter intake should be between 2-2.5% of body weight. Note: this is lbs "as fed" and not on a dry matter basis
** 1 ton = 0.907 tonne
*** Moisture content of silage is typically high, hence total intake as fed is higher compared to hay-based ration.
The Winter Feed Cost Calculator was based upon the following resources:
Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation: Ration Options for Beef Cows
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture: Beef Cow Rations and Winter Feeding Guidelines
Manitoba Ministry of Agriculture: Cost of Production Guides & Calculators
OMAFRA: Alternative Forages and Sample Wintering Rations for Beef Cows