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Beef · Growth & feed · Efficiency

Feed conversion ratio

7.2 : 1

The kilograms of dry-matter feed consumed to produce one kilogram of liveweight gain — counting both pasture and supplements like hay or grain. Growing stock convert best, while lactating and mature cows carry the extra cost of maintenance and milk.

Worked example · kg DM per kg gain · lower better
11.4 7.2 5.8 8.0 Lactating cows Steers Weaners Pasture avg
kg DM per kg gain · lower better
The benchmark

Growing cattle on pasture convert roughly 6–9 kg of dry matter per kg of gain; young stock are most efficient, mature and lactating cows least.

MLA More Beef from Pastures ↗
What it signals

A lower FCR means cheaper kilograms: animals need less pasture or supplement to grow. It exposes inefficient stock and tells you the financial return on your feed program.

Data required to calculate
Daily feed intake per headkgDM/hd/dayDaily liveweight gain per headkg/hd/day

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

How to improve it
01

Buy younger, lighter trading stock with naturally higher conversion efficiency.

02

Improve pasture digestibility and energy density to reduce feed volume.

03

Correct sub-clinical mineral deficiencies that waste energy.

Questions & answers

What is feed conversion ratio?

The kilograms of dry-matter feed consumed to produce one kilogram of liveweight gain — counting both pasture and supplements like hay or grain. Growing stock convert best, while lactating and mature cows carry the extra cost of maintenance and milk.

What data do you need to calculate feed conversion ratio?

You need: Daily feed intake per head (kgDM/hd/day), Daily liveweight gain per head (kg/hd/day). Silo pulls each of these from the sources the operation already uses and keeps the figure current automatically.

What is a good feed conversion ratio benchmark?

Growing cattle on pasture convert roughly 6–9 kg of dry matter per kg of gain; young stock are most efficient, mature and lactating cows least.

How do you improve feed conversion ratio?

Buy younger, lighter trading stock with naturally higher conversion efficiency. Improve pasture digestibility and energy density to reduce feed volume. Correct sub-clinical mineral deficiencies that waste energy.

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