The NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center has conducted feed-out research projects for over 25 years. Extension Livestock Systems Specialist Karl Hoppe says there’s currently two projects happening, one of which is North Dakota Angus University. Five pens of cattle were studied. “The average rate of gain was four-to-five pounds of gain per day with feed conversion around that 5.7- to- 7.4 pounds per day of gain.” Hoppe says the difference in genetics could add a premium on sale day. “Our total cost of gain in those cattle was actually 25 cents per pound higher for one group of calves then another. One group had an $85 loss and another prime group made $219 a head.”
