Calculate feedlot cost of gain per pound by dividing total feedlot costs by pounds gained. Evaluate finishing program profitability for fed cattle.
The Feedlot Cost of Gain Calculator determines how much it costs to add each pound of body weight during the finishing phase. Cost of gain (COG) is the fundamental metric for evaluating feedlot profitability — it represents the total non-purchase cost divided by pounds gained, expressed in dollars per pound.
Cost of gain includes feed, yardage, health, interest on capital, and death loss allocated across each pound of weight added during the finishing period. Feed cost is typically 70-80% of total cost of gain. At current feed prices, feedlot cost of gain commonly ranges from $0.90 to $1.40 per pound.
When cost of gain is below the sale price per pound, the additional weight is profitable. When cost of gain exceeds sale price, every pound added loses money. This simple comparison drives decisions about how long to feed, when to market, and what ration to use. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this free online tool provides instant, reliable results without manual computation.
Cost of gain tells you whether additional feeding days are profitable. If COG exceeds the sale price per pound, you should sell now rather than add more weight. It’s your most important feedlot management metric. Having a precise figure at your fingertips empowers better planning and more confident decisions. Manual calculations are error-prone and time-consuming; this tool delivers verified results in seconds so you can focus on strategy.
Cost of gain ($/lb) = Total feedlot cost / Pounds gained Total feedlot cost = Feed + Yardage + Health + Interest + Death loss charge Pounds gained = Sale weight − Placement weight This excludes purchase cost — COG measures only the cost of adding weight.
Result: $1.21/lb
Total feedlot cost = $560 + $75 + $30 + $45 + $15 = $725. Pounds gained = 1,350 − 750 = 600 lbs. Cost of gain = $725 / 600 = $1.21/lb. If the market is $1.85/lb live, the gain is profitable since COG < sale price.
Feed typically accounts for 70-80% of total COG. Yardage represents 10-15%. Health, interest, and death loss make up the remaining 10-15%. Focusing on feed cost and feed efficiency yields the largest improvement in COG.
COG is not constant — it increases as cattle get heavier. In the first 60 days, cattle gain efficiently with lower COG. In the last 30 days before marketing, COG often increases 20-30% as cattle deposit expensive marbling fat. Understanding this curve helps optimize selling time.
After every lot is sold, calculate actual COG and compare to projections. Consistent tracking of actual vs projected COG reveals whether ration changes, health protocols, or seasonal effects are improving or worsening performance. This data drives continuous improvement in feedlot profitability.
Feedlot COG typically ranges from $0.90-$1.40/lb depending on corn and feed ingredient prices. When corn is below $4/bu, COG is at the lower end. When corn exceeds $6/bu, COG can exceed $1.30/lb.
Feed conversion is the single largest driver. If cattle eat 20 lbs of dry matter per day at $0.12/lb DM, daily feed cost is $2.40. At 6:1 conversion, feed COG is $0.72/lb. At 7:1, it’s $0.84/lb — a significant difference.
No. Cost of gain measures only the cost of adding weight — feed, yardage, health, interest, and death loss. Break-even price includes both the purchase cost and cost of gain spread across total sale weight.
Sell when the marginal cost of the next pound of gain exceeds its expected market value. COG typically increases as cattle approach finish weight because feed efficiency declines as fat deposition accelerates.
Cold weather increases maintenance energy requirements, reducing the proportion of feed energy directed to gain. Mud reduces intake and increases energy needed for locomotion. Both raise COG. Summer heat stress reduces intake and gain.
Commercial feedyards charge $0.40-$0.75/head/day for yardage. This covers facility use, pen maintenance, equipment, and daily care. At $0.50/day over 150 days, yardage adds $75/head or about $0.12/lb of gain.