Data on feedlot performance of 149 steers were used to evaluate the economic efficiency of yearling Nellore, weaned Nellore, ½ Valdostana ½ Nellore, ½ Simmental ½ Nellore, ½ Braford ½ Brangus, ½ Braford ¼ Angus ¼ Nellore, Brangus, ½ Canchim ¼ Angus ¼ Nellore and ½ Canchim ¼ Simmental ¼ Nellore. Variable operational costs, kg of meat costs, and gross margin income were analyzed by ordinary least squares procedure including the effects of genetic groups and initial weight in the feedlot as a covariate. The means were compared by Duncan test (P<.05). The largest variable operational costs in the period, in US$, were observed for ½ Canchim ¼ Simmental ¼ Nellore (160.8), weaned Nellore (158.7) and ½ Canchim ¼ Angus ¼ Nellore (155.1). The lowest kg of meat costs, in US$, were observed for yearling Nellore (0.79) and Brangus (0.82). The highest gross margin was obtained for yearling Nellore (94.6), followed by Brangus (71.5) and ½ Simmental ½ Nellore (46.6) The heaviest genetic groups in the beginning of the feed lot were confined for shorter periods and had the largest gross margins.
cattle; genetic group; feedlot; cost; gross margin
