by Ryan Reuter

Go to the Calculator

User's Guide
This  template was developed to help cattle producers easily compare the cost of protein supplements on an equal basis; "to compare apples to apples". This template converts the cost of all supplements to a cost per ton of "useable" crude protein. "Useable" crude protein refers to the fact that non-protein nitrogen (urea, etc.) included in some supplements may not be fully utilized by cattle grazing forages. This template does not calculate the amount of crude protein needed by any class of animal. That information can only be obtained by carefully comparing the requirements of each class of animal with the nutrient composition of the forage they are consuming. To use this template, you will need to know the following:

• Price of the supplements you wish to compare
• Dry matter content of the supplements (dry feeds are typically 90%)
• Crude protein content (% of dry matter)
• Crude protein equivalent from NPN (from feed tag)

The lower portion of this template allows you to compare the labor costs associated with each supplement. Labor costs may be significantly different among supplements, and some types of supplement tout reduced labor as a major selling point. To use the labor calculator, you will need the following:

• Miles to your pasture (one way).
• Mileage charge you wish to use (typically $0.40-$.50 per mile for a farm pick-up).
• Labor charge ($/hour).
• Number of feedings per week (every other day feeding = 3.5 times per week).
• Hours of labor per feeding.
• Amount of crude protein, not feed, to be fed per head per day (information is available from a livestock professional).

The labor calculator can also help in evaluating the feasibility of buying additional feeding equipment, such as bulk feed handling equipment.

After entering the data for each supplement on the top section, the template calculates the cost of useable crude protein for each supplement. The template also calculates the "breakeven cost" of the supplement, which is the price of the supplement that would make the cost of useable crude protein equal to the cost of crude protein in supplement number 1. Generally, the supplement with the lowest cost of useable crude protein is the most economical supplement.

You can then proceed to the lower section labeled "Labor Calculator" to factor in the labor cost. After entering the data here, the template will calculate the labor cost per week, total feed cost (including labor and supplement) per week and per animal per day. It also calculates the cost of supplement and cost of labor per animal per day separately if that information is needed for further analysis. The breakeven price calculated on this worksheet is the same as on the first worksheet except that labor costs have now been included. Also calculated at the bottom of this page are the pounds of each supplement to feed per animal, and the total amount of supplement to feed per feeding (this may influence larger producers who might have to make an extra trip to the pasture with less concentrated supplements, adding labor and mileage cost).

If you have any questions about the use of this template, or any other livestock management questions, please contact one of the Livestock Specialists at The Noble Foundation. If you find an error in the programming of the template, or have a suggestion for improvement, contact Ryan Reuter (rrreuter@noble.org). We hope you find this template useful.