There is a large potential and actual feed loss in the beef industry. There are engineering solutions to some of the causes of feed loss but those solutions can have capital investment and annual cost requirements. To keep a beef operation economically viable, costs incurred must be recovered by savings. Table 1 can be used to estimate the value lost per ton of hay when an estimated loss of dry matter occurs. One way to use this table is to assume a certain practice can save 10 % dry matter loss when hay is valued at $150/ton. Under this condition, $15/ton of hay can be saved. Whatever system saves $15/ ton, it must not cost more than $15/ton to implement for it to be a viable alternative.