Ideally Located in the Heart of Corn and Ethanol Country

Profit is the fuel that drives the engine of the ranching or feeding enterprise. According to Cattle-Fax, the average rancher or cattle feeder made less than $4 per head from 1980 to 2000 producing for the “commodity” market. If we want to stay in business or prosper over time, we must manage tighter, produce more efficiently, or add value to what we sell.

The Decatur Beef Alliance allows us to do all three, and gives you the opportunity to take advantage of our proven experience. Feed prices have always been critical to the bottom line in cattle feeding. There are ten ethanol plants either built or proposed within 70 miles of Decatur County Feed Yard, so we have a distinct feed cost advantage over feed lots to the south.

According to 23 years of data collected by Cattle-Fax, an average rancher raising spring born calves is $85 per head better off by retaining ownership to an average feedlot with average management in 18 of 23 years. Depending upon the genetics involved, the Decatur Beef Alliance could add an additional $20-$30 per head by sorting for grid premiums and minimizing discounts and an additional $25 per head for qualifying for source and age programs. Ranchers should take full advantage of their superior management programs by participating in a progressive retained ownership program.