Performance and Economics of Sorting Yearling Steers by Feedlot Initial Body Weight

Four groups of long yearling steers were used to evaluate the effect of sorting by feedlot initial body weight on performance and feedlot economic variables during the feeding period. Steers were sorted into the lightest 25%, middle 50%, and heaviest 25%, along with a nonsorted control. Steers were marketed by sort treatment: heavy two weeks prior, middle one week after, and light three weeks after the unsorted control steers. Sorting did not affect dry matter intake, average daily gain, marbling, 12th rib fat thickness, USDA yield and quality grades, or economic analysis; however, sorting did increase days on feed, feedlot final BW, and hot carcass weight