| he 2011 National Feeder Cattle Audit evaluated 42,704 cattle in 260 lots from 12 Texas and five Nebraska feedyards to determine BQA adherence, the effects prior management and transportation practices had on feedyard performance and health, and established industry benchmark data so that future advancements and improvements in beef quality related areas can be monitored. This study suggested most feedyard managers and some cow-calf producers and stocker operators have implemented Beef Quality Assurance plans into their respective operations. Survey data documents that the many stakeholders in the beef cattle industry have followed BQA guidelines in an effort to improve the quality and safety of beef being produced. The lots of cattle traveled an average distance of 468 miles from their origin to the feedyard and spent an average of 185.7 days on feed. The majority of the lots were from a single-source origin. Of the cattle where feedlot performance data was available, they gained an average of 3.2 lb/day and converted at 6.2:1.;Across all lots, the average animal cost per day was... |
