Nutrition Programs for Southeastern Stocker Cattle

Historically we have used a value of gain of about $0.50 per lb on growing cattle, but with recent changes in calf pricing, gain is worth much more than that. For example, cattle at Lynchburg, VA on July 27, 2008 showed no price slide between 4 cwt and 6 cwt cattle, and when you compare those prices with the VA board sales those light cattle prices are similar to the heavier cattle, which would suggest gains in the new environment may be worth as much as $1.00 per lb (and that is what feedlot cost of gain is now). These conditions will be hard on cow-calf producers whom undoubtedly will see lower prices for weaned calves, but there will be still be ample opportunities for producers to profitably grow those cattle to heavier weights.