We feed annually approximately 1,000 cattle, and have 800 on feed now. Corn is costing us $1.50 delivered to the feedlot and choice steers fed 200 days are bringing about $22 net in Omaha. It costs 25 to 27 cents for every pound of gain we put on these cattle. With the government support of corn prices, we know that corn will cost us $1.50 to feed any cattle we put in this fall.
What can we afford to pay for a 700-lb. yearling steer delivered to our loading point Oct. 1? That is the big question and if the price is in keeping with conditions, we would contract for 500 of them now. We do this because we have a definite program that we follow each year.
Unless these cattle can be bought in line with these prospects, there is no reason to think that Cornbelt feedlots can use them. — R.A. Studley, Platte Valley Stock Farm, Fremont, Nebr.
