Livestock Feed Cost Calculator
Estimate total feed and feed cost for a herd or flock. Enter animal count, daily feed per head, feed price and days to get the total cost with the formula shown.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
Estimate total feed and feed cost for a herd or flock. Use the same weight unit (e.g. lb or kg) for feed amount and price.
Show the formula & steps
How the Livestock Feed Cost Calculator Works
Feed is usually the largest variable cost in livestock production. This calculator turns four simple inputs, the number of animals, feed per head per day, feed price, and number of days, into total feed used, the daily cost, and the total feed cost for the period.
Use the same weight unit for the feed amount and the price, either both per pound or both per kilogram, and the math takes care of the rest.
The Formula
Daily feed = number of animals × feed per head per day Total feed = daily feed × days Total cost = total feed × price per unit
Equivalently, the whole calculation collapses to: cost = animals × feed per head × days × price.
Worked Example
You are feeding a 50-head group 4 lb of feed each per day for 30 days, with feed priced at $0.25 per lb:
- Daily feed = 50 × 4 = 200 lb/day
- Total feed = 200 × 30 = 6,000 lb
- Total cost = 6,000 × $0.25 = $1,500
That is a daily feed cost of $50 for the group, or $1.00 per animal per day.
Cost at Different Feed Prices
Feed price has a direct, linear effect on the total, so small price swings add up over a herd and a season:
| Feed price (per lb) | Total feed (6,000 lb) cost |
|---|---|
| $0.18 | $1,080 |
| $0.25 | $1,500 |
| $0.32 | $1,920 |
| $0.40 | $2,400 |
Budgeting Tips
- Run it per group. Different classes of stock eat different amounts; calculate each group separately for accuracy.
- Add a waste factor. Real intake exceeds the ration because of spillage and refusals, so bump the per-head amount if your feeders waste feed.
- Watch the price per unit. Bulk and seasonal buying can move the price more than any other lever in this calculation.
- Convert blended rations. For mixed diets, use a weighted average price and average daily intake, or sum separate runs for hay, grain, and supplements.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the cost of feeding my livestock?+
Multiply the number of animals by the feed each eats per day to get daily feed, multiply by the number of days for total feed, then multiply by the price per unit of feed. For 50 animals eating 4 lb per day for 30 days at $0.25 per lb, the cost is 50 × 4 × 30 × 0.25 = $1,500.
Should I enter feed in pounds or kilograms?+
Either works, as long as the feed amount and the price use the same weight unit. If you enter feed in pounds, the price must be per pound; if you enter feed in kilograms, the price must be per kilogram. The calculator does not assume a unit, so keep them consistent.
How do I find feed per head per day?+
Use the ration your nutritionist or feed program specifies, or weigh what a typical animal eats over a day. Many species are fed roughly 2 to 3 percent of body weight in dry matter per day, but the exact amount depends on the animal, stage, and ration, so use your own figure.
Does this include forage, pasture, and supplements?+
It calculates the cost of whatever feed amount and price you enter. To include hay, grain, and supplements, either run the calculator once per feed type and add the totals, or enter a blended average daily feed and a weighted average price per unit.
How can I lower my feed cost per animal?+
Reduce waste with proper feeders, buy in bulk when prices are favorable, match rations to each group's needs, and use quality forage to cut purchased grain. Tracking cost per animal per day with this calculator helps you spot which changes actually move the budget.