Self-Assessment Question Master List

Posted: February 25, 2026 in For Cattle Producers

Share
Upper Iowa Beef producers filling out self assessment form.

Sector: Feed Yard Operator

High Priority Indicator: Air & Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Q 1: Are pen surfaces managed for both wet and dry conditions?

  1. There are no specific management practices in use.
  2. There are limited management practices for one or both conditions.
  3. There are practices for both wet and dry conditions, as applicable to the location.

Q 2: Are road and alley management strategies in place?

  1. There are no specific management practices in use.
  2. Minimal management practices are in use.
  3. Established management to reduce or eliminate dust and improve air quality.
  4. Not applicable.

Q 3: Are dust management strategies in place for feed processing and/or storage activities and
areas?

  1. There are no specific management practices in use.
  2. There are minimal management practices used.
  3. There are strategies established for management of the feed mill, storage, loading
    area, and/or unloading area.
  4. Not applicable.

Q 4: Are technologies (implants, ionophores, beta agonists, etc.) utilized during the finishing
phase to optimize growth?

  1. We do not utilize any of these technologies.
  2. We utilize one of these technologies.
  3. We utilize technologies extensively, which reduces GHG emissions.
  4. Not applicable.

Q 5: Is energy consumption measured and is there a process in place to look for more
efficient energy utilization?

  1. Yes, we review energy use in all areas, and look for ways to reduce usage
    and be more efficient (e.g., through preventative maintenance, equipment
    replacement, etc.)
  2. Yes, when we replace equipment, we look to upgrade to more efficient
    equipment.
  3. No real effort is made to review/reduce energy use other than price.

High Priority Indicator: Animal Health & Well-Being

Q 6: Are employees that work with animals Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), or
equivalent, certified?

  1. No one associated with the feedyard is BQA or equivalent certified.
  2. At least one person associated with the feedyard is BQA or equivalent certified.
  3. All employees that work with animals are BQA or equivalent certified.
  4. All employees are BQA or equivalent certified.

Q 7: Is there training and oversight in place to prohibit animal abuse?

  1. No formal training is given.
  2. We have some training, but there isn’t a formal process for reporting.
  3. We have training and an established reporting process.

Q 8: Does the feedyard have a procedure for non-ambulatory animals and humane euthanasia?

  1. There is not an established procedure.
  2. There is not a formal procedure, but there is a designated person or personnel to
    euthanize.
  3. There is an established procedure and only trained personnel are allowed to
    euthanize animals.

Q 9: Is there a plan for antibiotic use and effective review and oversight to ensure proper use?

  1. No review is made and no training is given.
  2. We have a veterinarian create our protocols, but there is no follow up or training.
  3. We have a veterinarian create our protocols and have a designated, trained person
    provide training and oversight.
  4. We have a veterinarian prepare our protocols and provide training and oversight.

Q 10: Are written or electronic records of animal treatment and associated medicines
maintained?

  1. No formal treatment tracking system is used, or minimal notes are kept.
  2. We have a treatment tracking system, but it is not consistently used.
  3. We have an established treatment tracking system, employees are trained on its
    use, and it is consistently used.

Q 11: Does the facility utilize professionals to provide oversight for cattle care?

  1. No, we only use a veterinarian in rare circumstances.
  2. We sometimes use a veterinarian, but don’t have one routinely providing
    oversight or training.
  3. Yes, we contract routinely or employ a licensed veterinarian.

Q 12: Does the facility utilize professionals to provide oversight for cattle nutrition?

  1. No, we only use a nutritionist or consultant in rare circumstances.
  2. We sometimes use a nutritionist or consultant, but don’t have one routinely
    providing oversight or training.
  3. Yes, we contract routinely or employ a nutritionist or consultant.

High Priority Indicator: Efficiency & Yield

Q 13: Do you utilize closeout and performance metrics and track them over time?

  1. Yes, we are continually looking at the data and attempting to get more efficient.
  2. No attempt to review the data is made.
  3. Not applicable. We contract feed cattle.

Q 14: If yes, which close out and/or performance metrics do you track? [Select all that apply]

  1. Average daily gain (ADG)
  2. Feed conversion
  3. Death loss
  4. Percent of animals that are treated (for illness, etc.)
  5. In weight and out weight
  6. Days on feed
  7. Not Applicable
  8. Other [Please describe]
    ________________________________________________________

Q 15: If select 19D, do you provide an analysis of performance to your customer?

  1. Yes
  2. No, but we provide raw data.
  3. No, we do not provide analysis or data back to the customer.
  4. Not applicable.

Q 16: Do you receive carcass data from the packer and use that data to make replacement cattle
purchasing decisions?

  1. Yes
  2. No

Q 17: If yes, do you provide this information back to your cattle supplier to support their
selection decisions?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Not applicable

Q 18: Are feed rations formulated to optimize resources and performance?

  1. Yes, rations are optimized to improve nutrition and/or performance, while
    minimizing cost and resources.
  2. Yes, we attempt to provide basic nutrition at the lowest cost for performance.
  3. No, we meet basic needs and rarely review our formulas.

Q 19: Is there a management system in place for feed ingredient storage?

  1. Yes, we have a program in place for all our feed ingredients.
  2. Yes, we have a program in place for some of our ingredients.
  3. No, we do not have a program in place other than basic management to keep feed
    from going bad

Q 20: Are feed ingredients stored to prevent or minimize spoilage?

  1. Yes, we have a program in place for all our feed ingredients.
  2. Yes, we have a program in place for some of our ingredients.
  3. No, we do not have a program in place other than basic management to keep feed
    from going bad

Q 21: Are feed ingredients stored to minimize shrink?

  1. Yes, we have a program in place for all our feed ingredients.
  2. Yes, we have a program in place for some of our ingredients.
  3. No, we do not have a program in place other than basic management to keep feed
    from going bad

Q 22: Are feed delivery and bunk management monitored for efficiency and
reviewed for improvements?

  1. Feed delivery and bunk management are reviewed frequently, and we are always
    looking for ways to improve through advanced technology, training and practices.
  2. We read bunks daily but only train the drivers when they start.
  3. We deliver the feed as best we can, but do not have the resources for updates or
    training.

High Priority Indicator: Employee Safety & Well-Being

Q 23: Does the feedyard have a written safety plan and is it provided to the employees?

  1. Yes, we have a fully developed plan that is updated regularly along with mandatory training.
  2. We have a written safety plan that we got from a state or industry labor group.
  3. We do not have a written safety plan.

Q 24: Are regular safety meetings held and is job specific training provided?

  1. Regular, mandatory meetings are held, and additional area-specific training is provided.
  2. We have training, and some specific training is done but it isn’t mandatory.
  3. Occasionally, someone comes by and talks about safety.
  4. We do not hold any safety trainings and no job specific training is provided.

Q 25: Are accidents and injuries documented and reported to OSHA, if required?

  1. We are fully compliant with OSHA reporting, have robust records, and review internally.
  2. We report our required OSHA accidents and have a compliant system for reporting.
  3. We report serious accidents if Worker’s Compensation is needed.
  4. We do not document or report accidents and injuries.

Q 26: Does the feedyard or parent organization support community activities and encourage employee involvement?

  1. Yes
  2. No

High Priority Indicator: Land Resources

Q 27: Are you required to have any state or federal water and/or environmental permits?

  1. Yes
  2. No

Q 28: If yes to Q32, does the feedyard have applicable state and/or federal water and/or
environmental permits?

  1. We have all required licenses and/or permits and are fully compliant.
  2. We are working on our permitting compliance.
  3. Not applicable.

Q 29: If yes to Q32, are records required for the permit(s) being properly maintained
and reported?

  1. Yes, we have the minimum required records and have passed our routine
    inspections and annual reporting requirements.
  2. We are working on developing a record management system that works for our
    operation.
  3. Not applicable.

Q 30: If no to Q32, have you considered the benefits of the risk mitigation through an EPA
water permit (or state equivalent)?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Not applicable.

Q 31: Does the feedyard have a documented Nutrient Management Strategy or Plan in place?

  1. Yes, we have a written Nutrient Management Plan and we adhere to it.
  2. We don’t have a written plan but are taking measures to be good stewards of the
    land.
  3. We do not have a plan.

Q 32: Do you have an employee training program for nutrient management?

  1. Yes, we routinely train applicable employees in all aspects of nutrient
    management.
  2. Our employees are generally aware of nutrient management practices.
  3. No, we do not conduct employee training.

High Priority Indicator: Water Resources

Q 33: Does the feedyard track its annual water use/consumption?

  1. Yes
  2. No

Q 34: Does the feedyard have all required water permits and is it fully in compliance
with permits and required management practices?

  1. Fresh water is permitted, requirements documented and compliance is assured.
  2. Fresh water is permitted and most requirements are met or corrected if deficient.
  3. We are exempt from permits.
  4. I am not sure if we have any requirements on fresh water permits.

Q 35: Is there a documented water management strategy that is updated regularly?

  1. Yes, we have an extensive strategy that we track and update regularly.
  2. We have a water strategy and we try to check it periodically.
  3. We do not have a strategy.

Upper Iowa Beef Producer Survey

Q 36: What type of environment do you raise your cattle in? [Select all that apply]

  1. Confinement with deep pit
  2. Confinement with bedding
  3. Open feedlot on concrete
  4. Open feedlot with shed concrete
  5. Dirt pens (no sheds/ no concrete)
  6. Pens with shade & concrete
  7. Pens on concrete

Q 37: How long has you operation been in your family?
_____________________________________________________________

Q 38: What generation is currently running the operation?
_____________________________________________________________

Q 39: What do you use for risk management? [Select all that apply]

  1. Cash Trade
  2. Futures Options
  3. LRP Options
  4. Packer Forward Contracting

Q 40: Are your cattle home raised? [Select all that apply]

  1. Yes
  2. No

Q 41: If no, where do you purchase your feeder calves?

  1. Local (<100 miles)
  2. 100-200 miles
  3. 200+ miles
  4. Not applicable

Q 42: Would you be willing to participate in marketing efforts at any point in the future?
(producer spotlights, customer tours, etc.) [Selecting yes allows name to be utilized]

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Maybe, I’d love to learn more
  4. Other ___________________________________________________

Downloadable PDF Resources

Recommended for you…

Side-by-side example of a dark-cutter piece of beef.

For Cattle Producers

Prevention of Dark-Cutting Beef

  • February 26, 2026
A black and white cow with yellow lines on its body, standing on dirt with a green check mark symbol.

For Cattle Producers

Cattle Hide Color Requirements – Black Angus

  • February 25, 2026
Three brown cows in fields, each with a green check mark indicating desirable features; yellow lines on the left cow.

For Cattle Producers

Cattle Hide Color Requirements – Red Angus

  • February 25, 2026
All Blog Posts
Share