The rising feedlot cost of gain in the southern Great Plains should have cattle producers considering economic opportunities for operations in forage-based stocker and backgrounding programs, said Oklahoma State University Extension experts. Cost of gain, or the expense of gaining a pound of livestock bodyweight, involves several critical factors such as feed costs, flesh condition, animal genetics, weather and cattle health. When grain prices rise and cost of gain increases – as is currently the case – feedlot operators shift their favor to heavier-weight cattle. “It’s all about adding value, though the producer still will need to determine the price needed to sell his or her fed cattle to break even on the transaction,” said Paul Beck, OSU Extension beef cattle specialist and holder of the university’s Dennis and Marta White Endowed Chair in Animal Science. “Determining the break-even price is just part of raising cattle, no matter the size or type of operation.”