An Economic Analysis of Alternative Feeds in Midwestern Beef Cattle Finishing Rations

Abstract

Increased environmental awareness and higher costs of disposal dictate the search for economically feasible alternative uses of food processing by-products. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of incorporating hydrolyzed poultry feathermeal into midwestem beef feedlot rations to replace soybean meal or urea in increments of 25, 50, and 75 percent of the protein supplement and assesses the profitability of adding potato-corn processing waste to midwestern beef feedlot rations in replacement of high moisture corn at 50 and 100 percent of the energy source in midwestern beef feedlot rations. It was discovered that both are nutritionally feasible and with current prices and technology, both can be a profitable alternative. A 75% feathermeal/25% urea protein supplement provided a $15.47 greater profit than the traditional 100% soybean meal supplemented corn/corn silage ration. The 50% corn/50% potato-corn processing waste energy source returned $7.39 more per head than the 100% corn ration.