Definition: Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) = feed consumed ÷ weight gained. Lower FCR means more efficient gain and usually lower cost per pound of gain.
Worked example: A market hog eats 300 lb of feed and gains 100 lb → FCR = 3.0. If feed costs $0.40/lb, that 100 lb of gain cost about $120 in feed alone ($1.20 per pound of gain).
Species context (rules of thumb)
- Market hogs on complete show feeds often near ~2.5–3.5 FCR depending on stage and genetics.
- Cattle, sheep, and goats differ — always pair FCR with species-typical ADG, not hog defaults.
- Weather, water quality, bunk management, and health events swing FCR hard mid-season.
Estimate remaining spend with the feed cost calculator. Apply numbers in a show pig feed budget and your breakeven page.
Next step: Track feed purchases in ShowPen so FCR is reconstructed from real data at fair.