Animal Nutrition · Ingredient economics
Feed Ingredient Cost per Unit Nutrient Calculator
Compare feed ingredients on the cost of the nutrient they actually supply, with dry-matter and as-fed basis handling.
- Free to use
- Runs in your browser
- Level B · Industry formula
- Last reviewed 2026-08-17
Calculator guide
Compare nutrient economics, not just price per ton
A lower purchase price does not automatically mean a lower nutrient cost. Moisture and nutrient concentration can reverse the apparent ranking.
Worked example
A $430/US ton ingredient containing 48% crude protein as-fed supplies about 960 lb of crude protein per ton, or roughly $0.45 per lb of crude protein.
Frequently asked questions
Why does dry matter matter?
Water adds weight but not dry nutrient mass, so feeds with different moisture levels should often be compared on a dry-matter or nutrient basis.
Can I use this for minerals or amino acids?
Yes when the nutrient is expressed as a mass percentage and the basis is entered consistently.