Feedlot Profit Calculator

Analyze your feedlot profitability by calculating costs, revenues, and performance metrics

Detailed Analysis

Quick Calculator

Input Costs

Cattle Purchase P ($/head/lb) Per Head Per Pound

Total Feed Costs ($)

Veterinary & Health Expenses ($)

Labor Costs ($)

Bedding & Maintenance ($)

Interest on Operating Capital ($)

Death Loss Allowance (%)

Revenue Streams

Cattle Sale Price ($/head or $/lb) Per Head Per Pound

Manure Sales Revenue ($)

Cull Animal Sales Revenue ($)

Performance Metrics

Average Daily Gain (ADG in lbs)

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

Days on Feed (DOF)

Finish Weight (lbs)

Number of Heads in Feedlot

Feedlot Profitability Results

Total Revenue

$0

$

Total revenue from all sources

Total Costs

$0

$

Total costs including all expenses

Net Profit

$0

$

Profit after all costs and death loss

Profit Margins

Gross Margin

0%

%

(Revenue - Direct Costs) / Revenue

Net Margin

0%

%

Net Profit / Total Revenue

Profit per Head

$0

$

Net Profit divided by number of heads

Performance Metrics

Metric	Value	Description
Average Daily Gain (ADG)	0 lbs	Average weight gain per day
Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)	0	Pounds of feed per pound of gain
Days on Feed (DOF)	0 days	Total days cattle were fed
Finish Weight	0 lbs	Average weight at sale
Cost of Gain	$0.00/lb	Total feed cost divided by total gain

This calculator helps analyze feedlot profitability by considering all major cost and revenue factors. Print Report

Quick Profit Calculator

Enter any 3 values to calculate the missing variable

Total Feedlot Revenue ($)

Total Feedlot Costs ($)

Number of Heads in Feedlot

Net Profit ($)

Total Revenue: $0.00

Total Costs: $0.00

Number of Heads: 0

Net Profit: $0.00

Profit per Head: $0.00

Formula: Net Profit = Total Revenue - Total Costs. Profit per Head = Net Profit / Number of Heads.

A Feedlot Profit Calculator is a specialized tool designed to help livestock producers, feedlot operators, and agribusiness professionals estimate the profitability of raising cattle in a feedlot system. By inputting key variables such as feed costs, animal purchase price, weight gains, and market prices, users can determine potential profits or losses before making financial commitments.

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Key Components of a Feedlot Profit Calculator

1. Input Variables

The calculator requires several inputs to generate accurate profitability estimates:

A. Animal Data

• Initial Weight (lbs/kg): Starting weight of the cattle when entering the feedlot.

• Final Weight (lbs/kg): Expected weight at the time of sale.

• Days on Feed (DOF): Duration (in days) the cattle will be fed in the lot.

• Average Daily Gain (ADG): Expected daily weight increase (lbs/day or kg/day).

B. Financial Data

• Purchase Price ($/head): Cost to buy each animal.

• Selling Price ($/cwt or $/kg): Expected market price per hundredweight (cwt) or per kilogram.

• Interest Rate (%): Financing cost if loans are involved.

C. Feed Costs

• Feed Cost per Day ($/head/day): Daily feed expense per animal.

• Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR): Pounds of feed needed per pound of gain (e.g., 6:1 means 6 lbs of feed for 1 lb of weight gain).

D. Operational Costs

• Veterinary & Health Costs ($/head): Vaccinations, medications, and vet services.

• Labor & Utilities ($/head): Labor, water, electricity, and facility maintenance.

• Transportation ($/head): Cost to ship cattle to and from the feedlot.

• Death Loss (%): Expected mortality rate (e.g., 2%).

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2. Calculation Methodology

The calculator processes the inputs using the following formulas:

A. Total Weight Gain

$$\text{Total Gain}=\text{Final Weight}-\text{Initial Weight}$$

B. Total Feed Consumed

$$\text{Total Feed}=\text{Total Gain}\times \text{Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)}$$

C. Total Feed Cost

$$\text{Feed Cost}=\text{Total Feed}\times \text{Cost per Pound/Kg of Feed}$$

or

$$\text{Feed Cost}=\text{Days on Feed}\times \text{Feed Cost per Day}$$

D. Total Revenue

$$\text{Revenue}=\text{Final Weight}\times \text{Selling Price per Pound/Kg}$$

E. Total Expenses

$$\text{Expenses}=\text{Purchase Price}+\text{Feed Cost}+\text{Health Costs}+\text{Labor}+\text{Utilities}+\text{Transportation}+\text{Interest}+\text{Death Loss Adjustment}$$

F. Net Profit/Loss per Head

$$\text{Profit}=\text{Revenue}-\text{Expenses}$$

G. Break-Even Selling Price

$$\text{Break-Even Price}=\frac{\text{Total Expenses}}{\text{Final Weight}}$$

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3. Output Metrics

The calculator provides key profitability indicators:

• Total Cost of Production ($/head)

• Total Revenue ($/head)

• Net Profit/Loss ($/head)

• Return on Investment (ROI %)

• Break-Even Selling Price ($/cwt or $/kg)

• Cost of Gain ($/lb or $/kg)

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4. Practical Applications

• Risk Management: Helps farmers assess profitability before purchasing cattle.

• Feed Optimization: Adjusts feed rations to improve cost efficiency.

• Market Timing: Determines the best time to sell based on projected profits.

• Loan & Investment Decisions: Assists in securing financing by projecting returns.

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5. Example Calculation

Inputs:

• Initial Weight: 700 lbs

• Final Weight: 1,400 lbs

• Days on Feed: 150

• ADG: 4.67 lbs/day

• Purchase Price: $1,200/head

• Selling Price: $1.50/lb

• Feed Cost: $3.00/day

• Health Costs: $50/head

• Labor & Utilities: $30/head

• Transportation: $20/head

• Interest: $40/head

• Death Loss: 2%

Calculations:

1. Total Gain: 1,400 - 700 = 700 lbs

2. Total Feed Cost: 150 days × $3 = $450

3. Revenue: 1,400 × $1.50 = $2,100

4. Total Expenses: $1,200 + $450 + $50 + $30 + $20 + $40 + (2% loss adjustment) ≈ $1,810

5. Profit: $2,100 - $1,810 = $290/head