Regional Rates
Custom grazing rates compared to feedlot cost of gain and hay costs by region. Data from LivestockValue.
| REGION | GRASS RATE ($/hd/day) | FEEDLOT COG ($/lb) | HAY COST ($/hd/day) | WHEAT PASTURE ($/lb gain) | GRASS vs HAY (savings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NW Oklahoma OK | $1.85 - $2.40 | $1.08 | $2.60 | $0.75 - $0.95 | -18% |
NC Oklahoma OK | $1.90 - $2.50 | $1.05 | $2.45 | $0.80 - $0.95 | -10% |
SE Oklahoma OK | $1.90 - $2.60 | $1.06 | $2.30 | - | -2% |
SW Oklahoma OK | $1.70 - $2.20 | $1.10 | $2.70 | $0.70 - $0.85 | -28% |
Kansas Flint Hills KS | $1.80 - $2.30 | $1.12 | $2.80 | - | -27% |
South Kansas KS | $1.70 - $2.20 | $1.12 | $2.75 | $0.75 - $0.90 | -29% |
Texas Panhandle TX | $1.60 - $2.10 | $1.05 | $2.90 | $0.70 - $0.85 | -36% |
North Texas TX | $2.00 - $2.70 | $1.08 | $2.50 | - | -6% |
NE Oklahoma / Osage OK | $1.75 - $2.30 | $1.06 | $2.40 | - | -16% |
Nebraska Sandhills NE | $1.50 - $2.00 | $1.02 | $2.20 | - | -20% |
FEEDLOT COST OF GAIN
What it costs to put a pound of gain on cattle in a feedlot in this region. Includes feed, yardage, and medicine. The benchmark that custom grazing rates should beat.
HAY COST EQUIVALENT
Daily cost to feed a head on hay at current prices. Includes hay price, waste factor, and delivery. If grass rates are below this, grazing is cheaper than feeding.
WHEAT PASTURE RATES
Seasonal rates for wheat pasture (Oct-Mar) on a per-lb-gain basis. Higher gain potential but weather-dependent. Common in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle.
Rate data sourced from LivestockValue market intelligence. Updated weekly. As deals close on CustomGrazing, actual transaction data will strengthen these benchmarks.