From Cost of Gain to Live Breakevens: Smarter Cattle Management
In today’s cattle industry, margins are tight, volatility is constant, and decisions made in real time can determine whether a group of cattle turns a profit—or becomes a painful lesson.
In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we sit down with the team behind Performance Livestock Analytics, the creators of Performance Beef and Cattle Krush — two data-driven tools built specifically for feedlot and cow-calf producers who want clarity, confidence, and control.
Founded in 2015 in Ames, Iowa, acquired by Zoetis in 2020, and returning to independence in 2023, Performance Livestock Analytics has grown into a platform trusted by over 4,000 producers managing more than 5 million head of cattle — with an incredible 96% retention rate.
That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens when the numbers actually work.
What a True Producer Ecosystem Looks Like
One of the biggest themes in this conversation is the idea of a “Producer Ecosystem.”
Cattle producers don’t operate in isolation. They work alongside:
Nutritionists
Veterinarians
Bankers
Accountants
Order buyers
Feed suppliers
Marketing partners
Performance Livestock Analytics is built around strengthening those relationships — not replacing them. By centralizing data and making it visible in real time, everyone involved in the operation can operate from the same dashboard.
When advisors have access to clean, organized data, conversations move from guesswork to strategy.
And that changes everything.
Why Digital Feed Management Matters
Feed is one of the largest variable costs in any cattle operation.
Yet for years, many producers have relied on handwritten sheets, spreadsheets, or memory to track:
Ration adjustments
Feed deliveries
Bunk calls
Inventory levels
Performance Beef digitizes feed management so producers can track rations, deliveries, and inventory in real time.
That means:
Fewer feed shrink surprises
More accurate feed efficiency data
Clearer insight into where dollars are going
When you know exactly what’s being delivered and consumed, you can control cost of gain — not just estimate it.
Stop Guessing on Cost of Gain
Automatic cost-of-gain tracking might be one of the most powerful features discussed in this episode.
Guessing at cost of gain — or calculating it too late — can cost producers thousands of dollars per pen.
With real-time tracking, producers can see:
Current cost of gain
Projected breakevens
Margin outlook based on current markets
Feed efficiency trends
When market swings happen, you aren’t scrambling.
You’re prepared.
Health & Treatment Logging That Actually Gets Used
Good data only works if it’s entered consistently.
The team explains how mobile-first health and treatment logging makes it simple for employees to record pulls, treatments, and outcomes on the spot — without complicated paperwork.
That creates:
Cleaner records
Better audit trails
Stronger conversations with veterinarians
More accurate performance analysis
It also reduces risk when it comes to compliance and documentation.
Marketing Before the Buyer Shows Up
Most producers prepare for sale day by looking at current prices.
The smarter approach? Prepare weeks or months ahead.
Performance Beef and Cattle Krush provide tools that help producers understand:
Live breakevens
Market trends
Weight projections
Timing opportunities
Cattle Krush pulls real-time CBOT data to calculate live breakevens at auction, giving producers clarity before they step into the sale barn.
When you know your numbers walking in, negotiations look different.
Seamless Integrations That Save Time
Another major advantage discussed in the episode is integration.
The platform connects with:
Bluetooth scales
Feed trucks
QuickBooks
Market data sources
That reduces duplicate data entry and eliminates manual mistakes.
When your accounting, feed data, performance numbers, and market data live in one ecosystem, decision-making becomes faster and cleaner.
The Bigger Picture: Better Information = Better Decisions
This conversation isn’t just about software.
It’s about mindset.
In today’s cattle environment, profitability isn’t about working longer hours or hoping markets improve.
It’s about having better information.
When your dashboard shows:
Cost of gain
Projected profit
Feed efficiency
Health data
Market swings
—all in one place, decisions get clearer.
And clarity builds confidence.
Why This Matters for Modern Cattle Producers
Technology in agriculture often feels overwhelming. But this episode breaks down how the right tools can simplify operations rather than complicate them.
Performance Livestock Analytics has built a system that supports producers instead of replacing their expertise.
The result?
Stronger advisor relationships
More confident marketing decisions
Improved financial visibility
Reduced surprises
More proactive management
For feedlot and cow-calf producers who want to move from reactive firefighting to intentional management, this conversation is worth your time.
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