NDSU Feedlot School 2026

Why feed cattle in North Dakota?

• North Dakota has ample feed supplies and cow herds, the perfect mix for cattle-feeding operations.
• Cooler weather in North Dakota is great for multiple cattle-feeding options: stocker, backgrounding and finishing.
• Many feed grains as well as byproduct feeds including distillers grains; wheat midds; soybean hulls; beet pulp; canola, soybean, sunflower and linseed protein meals are produced in ND.
• North Dakota has easy access to multiple markets and packing plants.

NDSU Feedlot School is an intensive course is for cattle producers, feeders, backgrounders, feed industry personnel, animal health-care suppliers, and anyone interested in learning more about feedlot productions, nutrition, waste management and marketing.

Cost: $225 per person (includes meals).
Participants must make their own lodging arrangements.
Bring your winter gear! The morning of the second day will be an outdoor classroom at our livestock unit.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday, January 21
9:00 a.m. Introduction and Overview
9:15 a.m. Why Feed Cattle in North Dakota?
9:35 a.m. Facility Design and Equipment
10:30 a.m. Break
10:35 a.m. Budgets for Different Cattle Feeding Scenarios
11:20 a.m. Cattle Requirements and Feeding
12:00 noon Lunch
12:45 p.m. Beef Quality Assurance
1:15 p.m. Implants
1:45 p.m. Cattle Financing
2:15 p.m. Break
2:30 p.m. Feed Additives
3:00 p.m. Feed Sampling/Analysis
3:30 p.m. Break
3:45 p.m. Ration Balancing
4:15 p.m. Calf Web Breakeven Calculator
4:30 p.m. Recess
6:15 p.m. Supper (Crossroads Clubhouse)
7:00 p.m. Feedlot Diseases and Treatments
8:00 p.m. Q&A / Discussion

Thursday, January 22
8:00 a.m. Low-Stress Working Facilities, Feed Bunk/Manure Reading
9:15 a.m. Bunk Reading and Feed Delivery
9:30 a.m. Manure and Nutrient Management
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Livestock Outlook
11:15 a.m. Price Protection with Hedging and LRP
12:00 noon Lunch
12:45 p.m. Alternative Marketing Programs
1:15 p.m. Carcass Quality
2:15 p.m. Marketing on the Grid
3:00 p.m. Concluding Remarks and Evaluation
3:15 p.m. Feedyard Tour

Requests for accommodations related to disability should be made to Linda Schuster at 701-652-2951 or linda.schuster@ndsu.edu by January 2, 2026.