Winter 2006-2007

So far the cattle feeding area of the Central Great Plains has experienced a winter to remember.  Years like this, some of McLean Feedyard’s best attributes are apparent: namely, a south slope with good sunny exposure, sandy soil for rapid drainage, a large supply of feed inventory, a generator to adequately power the feed mill and water wells in case of an emergency, and continuous flow water tanks so cattle can easily water even in the coldest of weather.  Packers have a high demand for fat cattle at McLean Feedyard during wet winters as our cattle carry very little mud compared to other yards.  All of these great attributes make McLean Feedyard an excellent place to feed cattle in the winter.  This helps give us a competitive advantage in extreme winters such as the one we are experiencing.  We invite you to come see our pen conditions and compare to other areas of the cattle feeding belt.

We offer many different options on feeding and marketing your cattle.  Laphe LaRoe, the manager of McLean Feedyard, is happy to explain the different options and find out which program fits your cattle best and will maximize your financial returns.

Here are just some of the feeding and marketing options we have at McLean Feedyard.

Naturally Fed Placements

Since 1994 McLean Feedyard has fed cattle for the growing natural fed beef market.  With time comes experience, and with experience comes success.  During this time, we have spent countless hours trying to determine the most economical way to feed a natural animal while also making him the most profitable for you, the customer.  The result?  Success.  Our relationship with Coleman Natural Products (formerly B3R Natural Meats) continues and we have additional natural programs with National Beef, Creekstone Farms, Laura’s Lean and Certified Natural Angus Beef.  McLean also is building other alliances on natural cattle that allow various qualities and breeds of cattle to realize premiums.

To find out more regarding how to place your cattle into our natural program, you can contact Laphe LaRoe at McLean Feedyard (806) 779-2405. 

Conventional Fed Placements 

As with our natural program, we have also been extremely proud of our success feeding your conventional (implanted) cattle.  While daily gains are always a question on a customer’s mind, feeding success is ultimately determined by feed efficiency.  To the credit of our feeding and animal health teams, they have proven regardless of what year it is or will be…we will be successful feeding your cattle. 

A representative from each of the major packing companies views our conventional cattle each week.  While we are not able to offer as many head to them each week as the industry’s larger yards, we do offer them the quality that makes them eagerly await our show list each week.  Your conventional cattle are not marketed until you want them marketed, and they will be marketed based upon your preference be it cash or a grid.  McLean Feedyard is also a registered and licensed CAB feedlot for those customers wishing to place their Certified Angus cattle.  Again, it’s all about options, and we will shop your cattle in order to achieve the highest success possible.

Backgrounding Options

While our primary objective here at McLean Feedyard is to take your placement through finishing, we also have established a successful backgrounding operation.  Thus, if a 60 – day or 75 – day backgrounding option suites your marketing needs, we will put the program together that works best for you.  During the first several months of this year, we also put together a successful backgrounding program for high-risk calves by utilizing our pastures.  While our pasture space is limited, we will do our best to fit your needs while also accommodating the needs of our other customers.   

Don’t Forget the Customer Advantage and Customer Advantage Plus Program

 You will receive a 3 cent per head per day rebate if you place 80 head or more in one pen with an average consumption at close of 24.5 lbs per head. 

You will receive a 4.5 cent per head per day rebate if you place 300 head or more in a 7 day time frame with an average consumption at close of 24.5 lbs per head. 

Need a Partner? 

Mclean Feedyard may partner with you on your cattle or find a partner for you to help aid in reducing some of your risk.  If you feel that feeding the cattle is not in your best interest give us a call and we can assist you in the marketing of your calves or yearlings.

On behalf of McLean Feedyard, we sincerely thank our customers for allowing us to build a relationship with you.  We are firmly committed continuing this relationship in the future building each success one detail at a time.

Laphe LaRoe