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Beef · Growth & feed · Growth

Average daily gain

0.62 kg/day · 18-mo avg

Total liveweight accumulated divided by days on the property — the primary performance indicator for trading systems and for breeders growing weaners for sale. On southern pastures gains peak above 1 kg/day on spring feed and fall away through winter and late summer.

Worked example · Monthly ADG + liveweight · 18 months
ADG kg/d LW/hd 280→615kg Jan 25 Jan 26 Jun 26
Monthly ADG + liveweight · 18 months
The benchmark

Rangeland cattle gain 0.3–0.6 kg/day; improved southern pastures drive 0.8–1.4 kg/day in season, with winter dips well below.

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What it signals

Faster-growing cattle reach target weights sooner, cutting time on farm and exposure to seasonal risk. Daily gains also reveal which bulls and cows are producing the best calves to retain as replacements.

Data required to calculate
Weight at entrykgLWWeight at exitkgLWDays on propertydays

Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses, and keeps the figure current automatically.

How to improve it
01

Apply strict internal-parasite control to minimise lost weight gain.

02

Graze high-energy, high-protein pasture or feed to lift gains.

03

Select bulls with strong 200-Day Growth and Milk EBVs.

Questions & answers

What is average daily gain?

Total liveweight accumulated divided by days on the property — the primary performance indicator for trading systems and for breeders growing weaners for sale. On southern pastures gains peak above 1 kg/day on spring feed and fall away through winter and late summer.

What data do you need to calculate average daily gain?

You need: Weight at entry (kgLW), Weight at exit (kgLW), Days on property (days). Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses and keeps the figure current automatically.

What is a good average daily gain benchmark?

Rangeland cattle gain 0.3–0.6 kg/day; improved southern pastures drive 0.8–1.4 kg/day in season, with winter dips well below.

How do you improve average daily gain?

Apply strict internal-parasite control to minimise lost weight gain. Graze high-energy, high-protein pasture or feed to lift gains. Select bulls with strong 200-Day Growth and Milk EBVs.

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