North Dakota Angus University Feed-out to begin in June

Cattle producers will have an opportunity to see how Angus‐sired cattle from their operation perform in a feedlot during the North Dakota Angus University calf feed‐out program this summer and fall.

North Dakota State University’s Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC) is partnering with the North Dakota Angus Association (NDAA) to sponsor the North Dakota Angus University Feed-out. This is the 14th year of the program.

“Feed-out projects like North Dakota Angus University are a great way for producers to learn more about their calves’ performance compared to other herds,” says Karl Hoppe, Extension livestock systems specialist at the CREC.

Ranchers can consign steers to the program by contacting the CREC. Consigned steers must be at least 50% Angus genetics and weigh between 800 and 1,100 pounds at the time of delivery. Consigned cattle will be delivered to the CREC feedlot on June 2-6, 2025.

Ranchers who consign cattle pay the feeding costs based on the average cost of gain plus veterinary costs and a modest yardage charge. The CREC will carry the feed, veterinary and yardage costs until the cattle are marketed. After the cattle are marketed, costs and all applicable fees are deducted from the sale price without an interest charge. Consigners of the program must also be NDAA members.

Participants in the North Dakota Angus University will receive periodic progress reports on their calves’ performance, as well as a final report on overall performance, efficiency and carcass traits of their calves.

In 2024, calf performance was measured during a 133-day feeding study. Steers had an average daily gain of 4.14 pounds per day. Shrunk live weight at harvest averaged 1,484 pounds, and carcass weight averaged 932 pounds. The cattle graded 97% USDA Choice or better with 51% meeting Certified Angus Beef (CAB) specifications and 19% Prime quality grade.

The NDAA offers $1,500 in prizes to the top three carcasses at the end of the feed-out. These prizes are sponsored by Neogen, Western Ag Reporter, Martin-Trudeau Insurance and LaMoure Feed & Seed.

More information is available at ndsu.ag/ndauenroll.

To consign a group of cattle or for more information, contact Colin Tobin, CREC animal scientist, at 701-652-2951 or colin.tobin@ndsu.edu; Karl Hoppe, NDSU Extension livestock systems specialist, at 701‐652‐2951 or karl.hoppe@ndsu.edu or Sydney Glasoe Caraballo, North Dakota Angus Association Feed-out program chair at 678-989-7189.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – March 14, 2025

Source: Karl Hoppe, 701-652-2951, karl.hoppe@ndsu.edu

Source: Colin Tobin, 701-652-2951, colin.tobin@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu