ANSC 1000
                    Problem Set Answers

First, organize all the information so it is easy to find the values
needed to answer a question.  Leaving the information in paragraph 
form makes it difficult to find the correct information needed for
a problem, and it increases the probability of making a mistake.

  Purchased 20 steers
    Age at weaning = 200 days
    Avg weaning weight = 560 lb
    Cost $1.20/lb.
    205-day adj. WW of steers = 550 lb (avg.)

  Steers were from a herd of 50 cows
    45 cows were diagnosed as pregnant following breeding
    43 calves were born 
    40 calves were weaned

  After weaning:
      Steers grazed ryegrass/clover for 150 days
            ADG = 1.7 lb/day
      Then to feedlot for 120 days
            ADG = 2.7 lb/day
            F/G  =  7 lb feed/lb gain

    Total grazing costs = $3,060 (not including the purchase price of
                                  the steers)
    Total feedlot costs  = $5,184 (not including the purchase price of
                                   the steers)
            (Feed represented 80% of the total feedlot costs.)

    Adj. yearling weight of all steers = 1,050 lb.

    Sale price of the hot carcass was $125/cwt ($.78/lb live weight).


  Specific information for Steer #10 

       Birth weight = 80 lb
       Weighed 550 lb when weaned at 210 days of age
       Dam was a 3 year old cow
       Pasture gain = 225 lb
       Feedlot gain = 420 lb
       Hot carcass weight at slaughter = 717 lb.


1. Calculations for:

   A)   Pregnancy rate (# pregnant/# of cows)

          45  * 100
          50

   B)   Percent calf crop weaned (# weaned/# of cows)

          40  * 100
          50

   (Parts C through I are specific for Steer #10.)

   C)   Adjusted weaning weight (Refer to equation in lab manual.)

         550 - 80 * 205 + 80 = 539 (without age of dam adjustment)
            210

         then +40 (age of dam adjustment for a 3-year-old cow)
         = 578.8 = 579 lb. for the 205-day adjusted weaning weight.

   D)  Weaning weight ratio (Refer to equation in lab manual.)

         578.8  * 100 = 105.2
         550

            Ratios are used for within herd comparisons and are calculated
            using adjusted weights.  The adjusted weaning weight for steer #10
            was calculated to be 578.8 lb (or 579 lb).  You were given the
            average adjusted WW of all the steers as 550 lb.  The 105.2 ratio
            tells you that steer #10 was 5.2% above average for this group.

   E)   Weight per day of age (Refer to equation in lab manual.)

         550  = 2.62 lb/day at weaning
         210

         550 + 225 + 420  = 2.49 lb/day at slaughter
         210 + 150 + 120

         * To get slaughter weight for steer #10 (1,195 lb), add actual
           weaning weight to gain while grazing and gain in the feedlot.
         * Get slaughter age (480 days) by adding age at weaning to days
           grazing and days in the feedlot.

   F)   Yearling weight   - A decision has to be made regarding the
        most appropriate weight to use for yearling weight.  Notice
        that the age of steer #10 off of grazing is very close to 365
        days (= 360 days).  Therefore, weight off of grazing would be
        more appropriate than his final weight after the feedlot which
        was taken when the steer was approximately 480 days of age.  
        According to the problem information, the steer gained 
        225 lb. on pasture.
        (See equation in lab manual.)

             225  * 160 + 578.8 = 818.8
             150

             The equation says to take the "final" or "closest to" yearling 
             weight minus the actual weaning weight.  In other words, 
             calculate the steer's gain postweaning.  This information was 
             given in the problem and does not need to be calculated.

   G)  Yearling weight ratio

             818.8  * 100 = 77.98 = 78
             1050

   H)   Dressing percent

             717   * 100 = 60%
            1195

   I)   Carcass value

             $78   = $1.30/lb or $130/cwt
             .60

2. How many pounds of feed were fed to the steers in the feedlot?

   2.7 lb gain/hd/day * 120 days * 20 steers = 6,480 lb gain for 20 hd
   6480 lb gain * 7 lb feed/lb gain = 45,360 lb feed for 20 hd

3. What was the cost per 100 lb of gain on grass?

     $3,060 = cost of grazing

     Gain = 1.7 lb/hd/day * 150 days * 20 head = 5,100 lb

      $3,060    =  $.60/lb gain * 100 = $60/100 lb gain
      5,100 lb
   
4. What price did the steers have to sell for to break even?

     You need the total costs divided by the total weight sold.

     560 lb/steer * $1.20/lb * 20 steers = $13,440 initial cost of steers
     Grass cost   =   $3,060  (given in problem)
     Feedlot cost =   $5,184  (given)
     Total costs  =  $21,684

     Initial wt = 560 lb * 20 hd  = 11,200 total pounds at start
     Grass gain = 1.7 lb/hd/day * 20 hd * 150 days = 5,100 lb
     Feedlot gain = 2.7 lb/hd/day * 20 hd * 120 days = 6,480 lb
     Total weight = 22,780 lb   (11,200 + 5,100 + 6,480)

     Total costs were $21,684.  This is the amount of money you have to 
     receive from the sale of 22,780 total pounds to break even. Therefore,

      $21,684   = $.9519/lb * 100 = $95.19/cwt break even price
      22,780 lb

     In other words, you have to receive 95.19 cents for every pound sold
     to break even.  Beef markets normally are listed as $ per 100 lb or abbreviated $/cwt.