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Feed Conversion Ratio

Reconcile same-cohort feed disappearance and live-weight gain for one completed period on an entered dry-matter basis.

Use this result well

Inputs that matter
Average animals and days for one completed period, as-fed feed offered/refused, representative entered dry-matter percentage, and aligned cohort live-weight gain
Output to expect
As-fed and dry-matter disappearance, animal-days, neutral DM-to-gain and gain-to-DM ratios, and per-animal-day records
How it works
Converts measured disappearance to the entered DM basis and divides by aligned recorded gain; it applies no species-independent Excellent/Good/Average/Poor thresholds
  • Align cohort, dates, feed offered/refused, dry-matter analysis and scale weights; record purchases, sales, transfers, deaths, sorting, shrink and feed losses that can distort the ratio.
  • Compare only like populations, production stages, diets and measurement methods; use a qualified nutritionist/veterinarian for ration, health, welfare and performance decisions.

Choose your path

Built around the job you need to finish

Reconcile same-cohort feed disappearance and live-weight gain on an entered dry-matter basis without universal performance grades.

Feedlot operator closing a pen period

Align animals, days, feed offered/refused and scale-record gain.

Use one completed cohort period and enter each measurement on the labeled basis.

Can reproduce the ratio and spot a mismatched period or refusal record.

Nutritionist comparing like records

Separate as-fed water weight from dry-matter disappearance.

Enter representative feed-analysis DM% and compare only populations, diets and methods that match.

Avoids ranking incompatible records with arbitrary Excellent/Good/Poor thresholds.

Manager investigating poor performance

Keep diagnosis and ration decisions outside a single ratio.

Review feed loss, sorting, cohort movement/deaths, health, environment, diet and scale calibration with qualified professionals.

Does not change a ration or treatment from generic calculator output alone.

Authoritative checks for this tool

Outputs and checklists are planning aids. Review the linked current authorities and the records, terms, instructions, and requirements that apply to your exact situation before a consequential decision.

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Reference & details

How it works

Align One Cohort and Period

Average animals, observation days, feed offered/refused, dry-matter analysis, and live-weight gain must describe the same completed cohort period.

Convert Disappearance to Dry Matter

As-fed disappearance equals offered minus refused feed. Multiplying by the entered dry-matter percentage removes water weight before dividing by aligned live-weight gain.

Report Neutral Record Ratios

The tool reports DM per pound gain, gain per pound DM, and per-animal-day records without Excellent/Good/Average/Poor grades, ration advice, diagnosis, or future-performance claims.

Updated: August 2026

Example Scenarios

Reconcile measured feed offered/refused and scale-record live-weight gain for one completed group and period.

Convert as-fed disappearance with representative analysis before comparing truly like diets, populations, stages, and methods.

Expose zero or inconsistent disappearance records and document movements, deaths, feed loss, sorting, shrink, and scale limitations separately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Dividing as-fed feed by gain without accounting for moisture

Enter measured offered and refused feed on the same as-fed basis plus a representative dry-matter percentage for the period.

Ranking unlike records or applying a universal performance grade

Align cohort, dates, production stage, diet, measurements, transfers/deaths and scale basis. Interpret differences with qualified nutrition and veterinary guidance.

FAQ

Arithmetic is reproducible, but the ratio is only as sound as cohort alignment, feed inventory/delivery and refusal measurements, representative dry-matter analysis, weight records, and movement/death accounting.

The worksheet subtracts as-fed refusals from offered feed, multiplies by entered DM%, and divides the resulting dry matter by aligned cohort gain. Extension sources document both dry-matter conversion and feed-to-gain context.

Yes, 100% free with no hidden fees or registration required. All calculations run instantly in your browser with total data privacy.

Yes, you can copy results to your clipboard, export formatted Markdown summaries, or generate a print-ready report directly from the tool.

Review the University of Nebraska–Lincoln dry-matter conversion guide and Utah State/University of Minnesota feed-efficiency resources in the source panel.

About Feed Conversion Ratio

Turn one completed cohort record into transparent as-fed disappearance, dry-matter disappearance, animal-days, and neutral feed/gain ratios. The worksheet deliberately avoids species-independent performance labels and ration or health recommendations.