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Pasture
Livestock Decision Tools

Distillers Feeds: Economics

This section provides users the ability to determine the economic value of distillers grains and other common Midwest by-product feeds based on the nutrient content using two University of Wisconsin software programs and a link to a University of Missouri web site to get current feed prices in the Midwest. Users can also go the ethanol plants section and link to company web pages to get their current prices that may be closer to their farms or clientele.

• Feed Val 1 is a University of Wisconsin spreadsheet that can be used for beef cattle, dairy dry cows and heifers, and swine rations. The break even price of the by-product feed is based on the current price of shelled corn (energy value), 44% soybean meal (protein value), dicalcium phosphate (phosphorous value), and limestone (calcium value). Users can enter their current feed prices, change the nutrient profile, and adjust dry matter content to match their feed source. NOTE: These pages will work best in Microsoft Internet Explorer.
  
  
• Feed Val 3 is a University of Wisconsin spread sheet that can be used by dairy managers or consultants for lactating dairy cows. The break even price of by-product feeds is based on the current price of shelled corn (energy value), tallow (source of oil or fat), 44% soybean meal (rumen undegraded protein value), dicalcium phosphate (phosphorous value), and limestone (calcium value). Users can enter their current feed prices, change the nutrient profile, and dry matter content to match their feed source. NOTE: These pages will work best in Microsoft Internet Explorer.
  
  
• The University of Missouri has a website that lists sources of by-product feeds and price quotes for comparison or purchasing the feed. Prices are update periodically. Click on this link and you can visit the Missouri web site. This link will leave this site, so use the back button to return.
  
  
• USDA updates distillers grain prices on a weekly basis using the Feedstuffs web page that lists by-product feeds. Several locations and feed sources are included depending the area of the U.S. users are located. Click on this site for prices. This link will also leave this site, so use the back button to return.