IMPROVING EFFICIENCY THROUGHOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN
Environmental conditions , geography , feed availability and size all impact how feedyards are effectively managed , however , no matter where they are located or their scope and size , feedyards across the country have identified unique ways to improve efficiency . These improvements not only impact business economics and the progression of the beef supply chain , but also animal well-being .
Trevor Maiers in Payson , Illinois , is a sixth-generation farmer and second-generation cattleman who manages the family-owned MAC Cattle Company with his parents and grandparents . This 1,800 head feedyard relies on confinement barns to improve overall efficiency and animal health . The barns make it easier to handle animals that need medical attention , which reduces stress for both humans and animals . The structures also give cattle a stable environment regardless of weather conditions and make manure management more efficient .
According to Maiers , efficiency has improved the last several years because the barns allow the family to take care of the same number of animals with fewer manpower hours . Also , the investments the business made in better working facilities improved overall animal health .
Maiers purchased his first cattle after graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in agriculture business in 2020 . His father was a cow-calf producer for more than 20 years , but when Maiers returned home to help manage the business , he brought with him the idea to add backgrounding to expand the operation .
The western part of Illinois is not known for confinement cattle barns , so all eyes are on MAC Cattle Company and how they manage resources . Neighbors realize the Maiers are good stewards in the community and provide positive experiences for everyone involved .
“ Our customers are happy to see cattle coming from an indoor setting and like to learn how we are operating to have less of an ecological footprint ,” Maiers said . “ We treat the soil with respect , manage manure in the correct way and control runoff .”
While interest rates , costs of maintaining equipment and input prices continue to rise , Maiers remains focused on the future . He sees an opportunity in direct marketing freezer beef . What started as a small part in the business model , selling to friends and family , has turned into a larger role , selling beef directly to customers in larger cities .
“ We weren ’ t expecting to be in that market , but it is a great way to promote home-raised beef ,” he explained . “ I ’ m glad we made the right connections and are able to offer this service as it has exceeded our expectations and will be a huge opportunity in the future .”
Building additional barns is not part of the growth strategy for MAC Cattle Company due to increasing construction costs . Maiers intends on building a better operation from within instead of expanding the feedyard , allowing him to utilize the resources he already has available .
“ I ’ d like to start a seedstock operation as part of our business model where we can use underutilized pasture ,” Maiers said . “ It ’ s one way we can add a new market and continue working with cow-calf clientele without adding more overhead .”
In Hereford , Texas , Brandi Richards and her husband , Joe , own and operate Diamond Cattle Feeders , currently feeding 18,000 head . Joe manages the feedyard and is also a risk manager for Compass Ag Solutions , helping cattle owners manage the risks
MAC Cattle Company uses confinement barns to protect cattle from the elements . associated with the cattle business . Brandi is an animal health pharmaceuticals sales representative . The couple uses their skills to take care of customers , adapt to their environment , produce a product efficiently , and use resources wisely to prosper in business , which are keys to sustainability .
“ We can ’ t feed other people if we can ’ t manage our business efficiently and effectively ,” Brandi said .
Diamond Cattle Feeders employs a consulting veterinarian and nutritionist to develop rations and use feedstuffs to maximize
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