Strategies to Reduce Feed Cost in Beef Cattle: Alternative Feed Sources and Economic Ration

• Feed raw material prices: Fluctuating, dependent on global markets
• Feed conversion ratio (FCR): Low LDO = Low cost
• Ration formulation: Optimum vs. overnutrition
• Feed losses: Waste during storage and feeding
• Seasonality: Prices drop during harvest season
• Local resources: Shipping cost is critical
• Purchasing strategy: Bulk purchasing, contract production

DDGS is a by-product of bioethanol production and an excellent feed source for beef cattle:

Advantages:

• High protein (27-30%) and energy
• Can substitute corn + soybean meal combination
• Fat content increases energy density
• Usually 10-20% cheaper than corn (on a protein basis)
• Rumen bypass protein is high

Usage Suggestions:

• It can be used in the ration at a rate of 20-40%
• Sulfur content may be high (max 0.4% total ration)
• Phosphorus is high, pay attention to Ca:P balance
• Fiber digestibility may decrease if fat content exceeds 10%

Economic Impact: Using 30% DDGS can reduce feed costs by 8-12% (Klopfenstein et al., 2008).

Beet pulp, a by-product of sugar beet processing plants, is a common and economical feed source in Türkiye:

Features:

• Highly digestible fiber (pectin)
• Low starch, low risk of acidosis
• Its energy value is close to corn
• Fresh pulp is very economical but storage is difficult

Usage:

• Dry fiber: 25-30% in the ration
• Fresh pulp: 30-40% (DM basis), can be mixed with silage
• Use with molasses increases flavor

Attention: Fresh pulp spoils quickly and should be consumed within 2-3 days or siled.

Method:

1. 4-5 kg of urea for 100 kg of straw
2. Dissolve urea in 40-50 L of water
3. Wet the straw, cover tightly (plastic wrap)
4. Summer: 2-3 weeks, Winter: 4-6 weeks
5. Let it air out and wait for 2-3 days, then use it.

Result:

• HP: Increases from 4% to 8-10%
• Digestibility: increases by 15-20%
• Feed intake increases

Cost: It saves 200-300 TL processing costs per ton, but quality forage.

Note: Both diets provide similar nutritional value (ME: ~12 MJ/kg, HP: ~13%)

1. Genetic Selection:

• Choose meat-type breeds or hybrids
• Animals with high GCAA potential

2. Optimum Slaughtering Weight:

• FDO worsens with excess weight
• Determine optimum slaughter weight by breed

3. Health Management:

• Sick animals show poor HDO
• Implement a preventive health program
• Parasite control is critical

4. Ration Optimization:

• High energy density
• Balanced protein (excess protein = waste)
• Feed additives (ionophore, yeast)

5. Feeding Management:

• use of TMR
• Regular feeding hours
• Preventing feed waste

6. Environmental Conditions:

• Hot/cold stress management
• Adequate space and ventilation
• access to clean water

1. Harvest Period Intake:

• Grains are 15-25% cheaper during the harvest period
• Create storage capacity
• September-November period is ideal

2. Bulk Purchase:

• 5-10% discount for large quantities
• Purchasing through cooperative or union
• Reduces shipping cost

3. Contract Manufacturing:

• Agreement with farmers in advance
• Price guarantee, quantity guarantee
• Ideal for silage corn

4. Local Resources:

• Transportation cost is critical (100-300 TL per ton)
• Evaluate resources within a 50 km radius
• Factory by-products, agricultural residues

Assumptions:

• Fattening calf purchase: 250 kg × 120 TL = 30,000 TL
• Slaughtering weight: 550 kg (300 kg increase)
• Fattening period: 200 days
• YDO: 6.5
• Feed consumption: 300 × 6.5 = 1.950 kg
• Feed cost: 1.950 × 14 TL = 27.300 TL
• Other expenses: 3,000 TL
• Total cost: 60.300 TL

Breakeven selling price: 60.300 / 550 = 109.6 TL/kg live

For snow: Live sales price must be over 110 TL/kg