Beef cattle

A Snapshot of Feed Management Practices Among U.S. Angus Producers

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Abstract

A voluntary, cross-sectional online survey was distributed in 2025 to U.S. Angus seedstock producers through internal communication channels and public meetings. The survey aimed to document current feed management practices and genetic selection preferences among U.S. seedstock producers, as part of a large study focused on genetics by environment by management interaction. No formal sampling restrictions or stratification criteria were applied. A total of 469 complete responses were collected, primarily from small to medium-sized farms, averaging 142 cows and 47 heifers, although herds sizes ranged up to 3,500 cows and 2,000 heifers. The study focused on two core objectives: (1) identifying prevailing feed management strategies in relation to herd size and geographic region, and (2) evaluating the prioritization of expected progeny differences (EPD) for feed efficiency in sire selection. Feed plays a critical role in determining profitability, accounting for 60-70% of operational expenses in U.S. feedlot operations. Between 2017 and 2022, feed costs increased nationally by an average of 27%, with pronounced region variability. Western states faced larger increases, as high as 93%, while the eastern U.S. experienced price decreases as low as 45%. Survey results showed that 95% of respondents purchased substantial amounts of feed (average 44%), although only 64% of respondents reported to produce feed, primarily hay (53%), on site. Logistic regressions models using the number of animals per farm as covariate and states as a fixed-effects proxy for geographic variations, showed that farms with larger herds were significantly more likely to both produce and purchase feed. Odds ratios for producing and purchasing feed were 1.65 and 1.55 per herd-size doubling, translating to 36-41% increased likelihood. Smaller herds (approximately 100 animals) predominantly purchased feed, either exclusively (43%) or in combination with own production (51%), suggesting heightened sensitivity to feed-price fluctuations. On-site feed production was more common in colder regions (e.g., Midwest and West), while data also shows that hay is commonly fed during winter, averaging 78 days per year. Additionally, 83% of producers used feed supplements (other than hay) either annually (47%) or occasionally (36%). Protein supplements were reported to be often used in combination with total mixed ration (TMR) and during winter (52%). Despite the economic significance of feed, only 23% of respondents used dry matter intake and 27% used residual average daily gain EPDs in selecting AI sires. The primary EPDs used for selection were calving ease direct and growth traits, pointing to a disconnect between feed-related economic pressures and genetic selection behavior. The large differences in climatic conditions across production regions in the U.S. and their impact on feed costs suggest a potential to increase product value downstream the supply chain through genetic selection efforts on feed efficiency traits, particularly in some states.

Keywords: 2026

How to Cite:

Valle de Souza, S., Rowan, T., Brito, L., Lourenco, D., Garcia, A., Retallick, K., Rovere, G., Cuyabano, B., Rosa, G. & Gondro, C., (2026) “A Snapshot of Feed Management Practices Among U.S. Angus Producers”, World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive 2026(1): 2295811. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/wcgalp.24373

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