An Economic Evaluation of Cattle Supplies and Slaughter Plant Capacity in New York and the Northeast Region

A.E. Res. 82-1

Improved Methods and Facilities for Commercial Cattle Feedlots

Excerpts from the report Preface: The Agricultural Marketing Service, through its research program, makes recommendations concerning ways to increase marketing efficiency. One area of this broad program deals with layouts facilities, equipment, and work methods for handling and marketing livestock and meat. The commercial cattle feedlot business has grown rapidly in recent years and has become an important part of the livestock marketing system. Because of the relatively rapid growth of commercial cattle feedlots, many do not have the most efficient facilities for handling and feeding cattle and calves. This report provides data and guidelines for use in designing layouts for commercial cattle feedlots of various sizes. It also provides data on the relative efficiency of different methods and equipment used in feeding cattle

Reducing Costs of Grading Wool in Warehouses

Excerpts from the report Preface: Few wool warehouses were planned and constructed with the benefits of technical assistance. Poorly arranged multistory warehouses have discouraged grading methods that use mechanized equipment. Thus, wool is graded in most warehouses primarily by manual methods with relatively high labor costs. This report provides data and guidelines on the relative efficiency of certain methods of grading wool. Methods of grading consigned wool and warehouse-owned wool involve substantially different labor and equipment requirements and costs and are, therefore, analyzed separately

Dehydration of Animal Wastes from Livestock Markets

Report Summary: Dehydration of cattle manure from livestock markets is a practical method of reducing the moisture content to a low level. The dried material can be merchandised as a specialty fertilizer. The four dehydrating plants covered in this study used rotary dryers with internal flighting. All dryers were direct fired using natural gas. The dehydrators had a relatively large electrical power demand. The moisture content of the raw material coming into the plant ranged from 38 to 65 percent. Raw material above 60-percent moisture tends to form balls which are extremely difficult to dry. Other problems which must be considered in operating a dehydrating plant are the possibility of fire in the storage areas, the abrasive effects of the dried product on duct work and elevator and auger housings, the effects of dust caused by dried material upon both workers and equipment, and the odor which is generally present at a manure dehydrating plant. The total operating cost for producing a pound of dried product ranges from 1.6 to 2.2 cents. Labor costs account for two-thirds of this total. Other costs include fuel, electricity, and repairs. Generally, the selling price of the dehydrated product only covers costs, and no profit is realized. Dehydration, however, may be the lowest cost method of disposing of large volumes of cattle manure and bedding. The dehydrated product is sold as a low-analysis fertilizer packaged in small units and is retailed through hardware stores, nurseries, and lawn and garden supply stores

Layouts and Work Methods for Wool Warehouses

Excerpts from the report: In 1963 there were about 238 million pounds of wool shorn from approximately 27.8 million sheep in this country. The sales value of this wool is estimated at $115 million. Approximately 190 warehouses throughout the country handle this wool. Many wool warehouses are outmoded multistory buildings, originally constructed for other purposes. Few were planned and constructed with the benefit of technical assistance. As a result, the arrangement of storage and work areas in most warehouses does not provide for a direct flow of wool into, through, and out of the warehouse, with a minimum of handling. The operations analyzed in this report and the layouts developed are based on warehouses of three sizes: One with a capacity of 500,000 pounds of wool, one with a capacity of 1 million pounds, and one with a capacity of 2 million pounds of wool. The capacity of a warehouse, as used in this report, includes all bagged ungraded wool, loose graded fleeces, and graded wool packaged in bags or bales. One capacity turnover per year was assumed, although some warehouses handle less than their capacity during a year and others may handle several times their capacity

Computer Processing of Sales Data on a Livestock Auction Market

Excerpt from the report Preface: This report provides the livestock auction market industry with data and guidelines that could be helpful in increasing the efficiency of auction market operations. Primarily, the study deals with the programing of a computer, computer processing of sales data, and the preparation of records of sales transactions for the buyers, sellers, and the market

Beef Carcass Boning Lines -- Operations, Equipment, and Layouts

Excerpts from the report: This study included plants located in the Southwest and Midwest. Detailed industrial engineering studies were made at nine selected boning lines, and 11 additional lines were visited to obtain background information. Fourteen of the boning lines studied were a part of individual slaughtering plant operations. Six were in separate boning houses that usually obtained carcasses for boning from several slaughterers. The objectives of this research on beef carcass boning lines were to compare the relative efficiency and operating costs for the table and conveyor systems, and to develop guidelines and efficient layouts for use by the meat industry in planning the optimum boning line for its needs

Fort Worth Stockyards, 1955: Proposed Facilities, Operations, Services

Excerpts from the report Introduction: The Fort Worth Stockyards is the oldest terminal livestock market in the Southwest. It has been a major market for livestock for more than 60 years. A vast and complicated organization, the operation includes the stockyards itself, 29 commission firms, 80 dealers, and 2 packers with packing plants adjacent to the yards. In addition, hundreds of sellers and buyers of all types including packers patronize the market. In 1955, the Fort Worth Stockyards, and various commission firms selling livestock in the stockyards, requested that research be undertaken on the major problems of stockyards operations. The research was begun in September 1955. The research has 3 major objectives: (1) Develop plans for improved facilities, including their arrangement, design, and size, to permit greater efficiency; (2) develop improved work methods and procedures, to provide for maximum service to livestock shippers and other users of the market, and the greatest utilization of labor; and (3) measure the effects of the improved facilities and procedures against the present efficiency of the market