FAQs

What is retained ownership?

Retained ownership is when ranchers hold on to cattle longer than they typically would — into the next phase or two of cattle production. According to CattleFax, nearly 80% of the time, a typical rancher with spring-born calves is $85 per head more profitable by retaining ownership.

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Why should I consider retained ownership with Decatur?

When you choose to feed your cattle, you get more pounds of beef. And more beef means more profit. Especially with Decatur’s system built on three layers of profit potential.

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What about risk?

Ranchers who are concerned about risk may shy away from retained ownership. They choose to take a smaller, guaranteed price per head now. But with Decatur:

  1. You diversify your investment by growing some of your calves into fed cattle.
  2. Your animals skip the auction market and there are fewer changes of hands, both of which minimize stress and weight loss.
  3. Your cattle are managed based on individual characteristics to help them reach their full potential.
  4. Your cattle are sold individually based on value.
  5. Most importantly, you get data about which genetics are producing the best cattle, so you can build profitability into your future herds.

When you consider all these benefits, you can greatly decrease your risk…and increase your profit potential. It’s the difference between keeping your money under a mattress and investing it in a fund where it can grow.

Learn more about why you should choose Decatur.

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What is the benefit of sorting cattle?

While retained ownership gives you more beef, individual management and marketing of cattle gives you even more profit for a better product. You get rewarded based on the quality of your cattle.

At Decatur, we don’t guess how to best manage your cattle; our electronic cattle management system helps us measure your animals and sort them for the ideal nutrition plan and finish date.

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What is included in the individual animal closeout data?

See the data details clients receive at closeout on the Individual Data page.

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If my sale prices are good, why do I need genetic improvement for my beef?

You may be satisfied with your current price-per-head, but what about when the cattle cycle goes down again? Or what if the genetics in your herd take a dive and you don’t know where the problem originated?

As competitive as the beef industry has become — both internally and with pork and poultry — cattlemen need to be at the top of their game. If you have never retained ownership of your calves through the feeding phase and received individual animal performance data on your calves, how do you honestly know what kind of cattle you are producing and what their actual value is? You need to know whether your herds are improving regularly, why they are successful (or not), where you are compared to other ranchers, and where you want to be. Read more about why Decatur is a great place to improve your genetics.

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How should I prepare my cattle for feeding with Decatur?

We strongly recommend:

  • Ear-tagging your calves (on the left ear) at birth
  • Keeping good records, including birth dates, vaccinations, and health
  • A pre-conditioning program for bawling calves
  • Placing cattle with us before they reach 850 pounds
  • Contacting us as early as possible prior to shipment

These actions give you the most profit potential, keep maintenance costs down (by avoiding things such as duplicate vaccinations), and help your cattle qualify for age and source premiums. Ask us about our preferred pre-conditioning program.

Note: We don’t accept dairy cattle or dairy-influenced cattle.

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What are the maximum and minimum herd sizes you allow?

Ranchers with herd sizes ranging from 100 to over 10,000 head feed their cattle at Decatur.

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What are your pen sizes?

Our pen sizes range between 70 and 250 head each.

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What type of cattle feed do you use?

We mainly use corn, alfalfa hay, and wet distillers grain. Nutritionist Dr. Wally Koers has formulated highly nutritious, balanced rations for our operation, designed to get your cattle to market most efficiently.

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How do you keep corn prices low?

Decatur is situated in northwest Kansas, in the heart of corn country. There are multiple ethanol plants within just an hour’s drive of Decatur. That means corn is affordable and accessible, and we can get you the best prices for your feed. 

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How does Decatur ensure food safety?

We are committed to maintaining a clean, top-of-the-line, and trustworthy operation. Because of the amount and accuracy of data documented in our electronic cattle management system, we are able to prove that commitment, meeting stringent food safety and quality assurance standards. Meeting these standards also helps us qualify for USDA age and source verification programs, as well as other USDA-monitored programs.

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Do you offer natural feeding for non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC)?

Yes, we have access to natural feeding programs, as well as the non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC) designation through the USDA. Give us a call for more information.

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Do you offer financing?

Yes, we offer both feed financing and cattle financing to qualifying ranchers. Joint ventures may also be available upon appraisal of the cattle. Contact us for details.

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Do you operate seasonally or year-round?

Decatur accepts cattle placement year-round.

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How often can we contact you?

When you entrust your cattle to us, we take that responsibility very seriously. If any issue arises with your cattle, you can count on us to let you know immediately. And you are welcome to contact us anytime with questions — or just to check in on your investment.

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Is Decatur right for me?

If you are a progressive rancher who wants to take a serious, objective look at your cattle, then Decatur County Feed Yard is right for you. You’ll find out how you can measurably improve your returns and lower your input costs.

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