BarnMath

Feed and cost

Feed Conversion Estimator

Use daily feed amounts and measured ADG from the same period to estimate feed conversion and feed cost per pound gained.

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What do the ration and measured ADG show?

If you already know daily feed fed and measured ADG, this BarnMath worksheet calculates feed conversion. Add package prices and weights if you also want estimated feed cost per pound gained. It saves in this browser and doesn't send the worksheet to us.

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Step 1

Project and measured gain

Step 2

Daily feed rows

Enter every feed amount on an as-fed basis. The daily ration and measured ADG must cover the same measurement period. This worksheet does not convert dry-matter values.

Feed row 1

Feed conversion results

Daily ration, feed conversion, and estimated feed cost per pound gained

Feed conversion: Pending. Estimated feed cost per pound gained: Pending.

Total daily rationPendingAs-fed pounds across all entered rows
Feed conversionPendingTotal daily ration divided by measured ADG
Estimated daily feed costPending
Estimated feed cost per pound gainedPendingEstimated daily feed cost divided by measured ADG
Feed rows as entered
FeedLb/dayPackage pricePackage lbFeed cost/lbDaily feed cost
No feed rows entered yet.
Review notes
  • The feed-conversion estimate needs at least one feed row.
  • Average daily gain must be greater than zero to calculate feed conversion and feed cost per pound gained.
Optional print logo

PNG, JPG, or WebP up to 2 MB. It stays on this page until removed or refreshed.

No logo selected.
A two-feed conversion exampleWorked example

A project uses 5 pounds per day from a $25, 50-pound package and 0.5 pound per day from a $30, 20-pound package. Measured ADG for the same period is 2 pounds per day.

  • 5.5 lb/day total daily ration
  • 2.75 lb feed/lb gained
  • $3.25 daily feed cost and $1.63/lb gained
What the worksheet does not knowAssumptions to check
  • Use pounds fed per day on an as-fed basis and measured ADG from the same period.
  • Each entered feed row needs a name and pounds fed per day for conversion. Package price and weight are optional unless you want feed-cost results.
  • A positive measured ADG is required for feed conversion and estimated feed cost per pound gained.
  • This worksheet does not convert dry-matter and as-fed values or rate the animal, feed, ration, or result.
  • Take feed and animal-health decisions to your advisor, Extension professional, breeder, or veterinarian.
Formula notes

How the math works

Sources to check

Which source answers this question?

The fair book and show office set local rules. Take project questions to your advisor, ag teacher, or Extension office, and animal-health questions to your veterinarian.

  1. Local fair, show, school, 4-H/FFA, advisor, Extension, and veterinarian guidance Local rules and animal-health guidance are the source of truth.
  2. Texas 4-H record books
  3. National FFA
  4. K-State AgManager decision tools
  5. Iowa Beef Center calculators
  6. Utah State University Extension: Market Animal Feed Efficiency
  7. Nebraska Extension: Market Beef Performance Measures and Values

Source links checked 2026-07-01.

Common questions

Which feed amounts belong in this estimate?

Use the daily ration already being fed during the same period as the measured ADG. Add one row for each feed component and keep every amount on an as-fed basis.

Does the result say whether the ration is good or poor?

No. It reports feed conversion and cost math from the numbers you enter. It does not rate the animal, feed, ration, or result and does not recommend a change.

Why is a feed-cost result pending?

Every nonblank feed row needs a package price and package weight. Feed conversion and cost per pound gained also need a positive measured ADG.

Do I need an account?

No. The worksheet saves in this browser. Download a backup for anything you need to keep.

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