Recording the Amount of Feed to Animals

It is important that a record of loads discharged be accurately reported and recorded to maintain a correct feeding schedule.  If the loads discharged into feeding bunkers are not recorded correctly it can lead to the wrong information being used to adjust the feeding practices.

Earlier we looked at the importance of loading the correct amount of feed onto the feeding wagon when refilling the feed bunkers.  If this practice is closely monitored and recorded the accuracy of the entire feeding process can be increased.  Records of the amount of feed distributed to each bunker is another critical step in assuring that the success of feeding practices can be measured and practices adjusted where necessary.

Failure to correctly record the amount of feed discharged into the feeding bunkers can lead to a feedlot manager or operator taking drastic steps.  For example, a sudden loss of appetite can mean that cattle are sick or that the feed blend being used is of a poor quality forcing the feedlot manager to implement costly changes in the feed blend or scheduling treatment or vaccinations.  If the seeming loss of appetite is only indicated due to the wrong information being recorded the feedlot can easily occur unnecessary expenses that can influence the ultimate profitability.

If the necessary information concerning the amount of feed discharged at each bunker is not recorded a feedlot operator or manager will not be able to make the adjustments to the feeding practices as needed.  The livestock feedlot industry has become a highly skilled and competitive industry in which only the best feedlots are able to survive and flourish.

To ensure the survival and profitability of the feedlot a manager must be able to make well-thought-out and informed decisions and the only manner in which to accomplish this is by the design and implementation of a well-structured recordkeeping system.  Going hand in hand with the recordkeeping system is the capturing and analysis of the data obtained from the records.  The analysis and capturing of recorded data give the feedlot manager a tool that can be used to track trends and thereby measure the success of feed volumes and feed blend quality.