Justin Waggoner, Ph.D., Beef Systems Specialist
“Cost of Gain in Kansas Feedlots”
One of the more common questions I have addressed recently is “What is the current cost of gain in feedyards?” The September edition of the Kansas State University Focus on Feedlots reported an average cost of gain of $131.34/cwt for steers and $142.78/cwt heifers marketed in September. The average reported projected cost of gain for cattle placed on feed in October was $144.20/cwt for steers and $150.60/cwt. for heifers. The figures below illustrate feedlot cost of gain for steers and heifers from 2020, 2021, through September, 2022. Cost of gain for both steers and heifers has steadily increased since January/February of 2021. The highest reported cost of gains for steers and heifers in the Focus on Feedlot data (Jan. 1990‐present) occurred in March 2013 ($133.72/cwt. for steers and $136.76/cwt. for heifers). Thus, the average reported cost of gain for heifers in August ($142.18/cwt.) and September ($142.78/cwt), 2022 have now become the highest cost of gains reported in the Focus on Feedlot data.
For more information, contact Justin Waggoner at jwaggon@ksu.edu.