Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 12 · column 1 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
By BIRGITT THORNHILL
Extension Agent, Agriculture
Although feed prices have edged lower this year, cattle ft ders are still in a financial bind and probably won’t see much improvement over the next few months, some new cost figures from the Department of Agriculture report.
If a Com Belt farmer, feedlot farmer or feedlot operator bought some lightweight steers last June and fed them the full six months before shipping them to slaughter in December, department economists say there is a good chance for breaking even.
The department’s Economic Research Service examined cattle feeding costs in a recent outlook report.
A 600 pound feeder steer last June, on the average, would have cost about $392. The total feed bill, based on projected costs for the six months, included $118.35 worth of com, $36.38 worth of silage, $28.22 worth of protein supplement and $10 worth of hay.
Other expenses, such as allowances for labor, management, veterinary medicine, interest, power and losses due to death would boost costs to about $691 by the time the steer is ready for market at 1,050 pounds in
86.8%