Livestock project guide
From feed receipt to cost per pound gained
Use the package price and the feed plan you already have to work out daily cost, period cost, and feed cost per pound gained. This guide does not give ration advice.
Start with the cost per pound of feed
Divide the package price by the pounds in the package to get feed cost per pound. Use the pounds fed per day from the plan you already have to estimate daily and period cost.
Record the receipt date and package size with each entry because prices and bag sizes change.
Match the feed and weight periods
Feed conversion only makes sense when daily feed and average daily gain cover the same measurement period. Do not use this month's feed with an ADG calculated from a different set of dates.
BarnMath uses the amounts as entered on an as-fed basis. It does not convert dry matter, so do not compare the result with a dry-matter benchmark.
Feed cost per pound gained is not the full project cost
The feed-conversion worksheet can estimate feed cost per pound gained. A full project-cost total may also include the animal purchase, bedding, supplies, entries, hauling, labor, and other costs requested by the record being prepared.
Use the project expense tracker for non-feed costs. Copy only the categories and totals your official record book or AET instructions request.
Mark missing feed information before totaling the rows
A mixed-feed total can look too low when one package price or weight is missing. Mark the row for follow-up instead of silently leaving it out.
Take feeding questions to your advisor or Extension educator. Ask a veterinarian about medication, withdrawal times, or animal health. The worksheet only does the entered math.
What an official record may ask for
- Feed name
- Package weight
- Package cost
- Pounds fed per day
- Matching feed and weight dates
- Other feed costs
- Feed cost per pound gained
- Official record-book category
Related calculators and worksheets
Printable worksheet
From feed receipt to cost per pound gained planning sheet
Print this blank sheet, then copy only what your official record book asks for.
| Date | Entry | Record-book section | Local source or advisor check |
|---|---|---|---|
| ____ / ____ | Feed name | ________________ | ________________ |
| ____ / ____ | Package weight | ________________ | ________________ |
| ____ / ____ | Package cost | ________________ | ________________ |
| ____ / ____ | Pounds fed per day | ________________ | ________________ |
Sources used for this guide
These sources explain the math and record keeping. Your fair book and local instructions set the requirements.
- Utah State University Extension: Market animal feed efficiencyChecked July 31, 2026
- Nebraska Extension: Market beef performance measuresChecked July 31, 2026
- Oregon State University Extension: Feed and growth recordChecked July 31, 2026