Feed procurement glossary
Feed conversion ratio (FCR)
Definition
FCR is the feed consumed per unit of animal weight gain or product output. Lower FCR means more output per ton of feed.
Why it matters
FCR converts feed cost into cost per unit of production, which is the number that actually matters commercially.
When it affects procurement
When comparing formulation options or justifying investment in better feed quality.
Example
A broiler FCR of 1.6 means 1.6 kg of feed per kg of live weight gain.
Frequently asked questions
Should I optimise feed cost per ton or FCR?
FCR-adjusted cost. A cheaper ton of feed that worsens FCR can raise total production cost.