Cow/Calf Analysis: Key Indicators of Profitability

Genetic Improvement of Heifer Pregnancy and Performance in Beef Cattle

Current genetic improvement programs should place more emphasis on improving profitability than on one or a small group of traits, under the framework of economic relevance (Golden et al., 2000). When profit is defined generally as revenue minus cost, true economically relevant traits (ERT) have a direct impact on either income or expenses, whereas indicator traits provide a means to increase a...

Costs, Distribution of Costs, and Factors Influencing Profitability in Cow-Calf Production

Effects of breeding date, weaning date, and grazing season length on profitability of cow-calf production systems in southeastern Montana.

Production data from 11 southeastern Montana ranches were used to parameterize a bio-economic computer model of cow/calf range production. Effects of changes in breeding date, weaning date, and range removal date on system performance for a ranch with a fixed forage resource base (3,060 animal unit months of range forage and 744 t of hay) were simulated. Input costs were locally established in ...

Decomposing variation in dairy profitability: the impact of output, inputs, prices, labour and management

The UK dairy sector has undergone considerable structural change in recent years, with a decrease in the number of producers accompanied by an increased average herd size and increased concentrate use and milk yields. One of the key drivers to producers remaining in the industry is the profitability of their herds. The current paper adopts a holistic approach to decomposing the variation in dai...

Understanding and Managing Costs in Beef Cow-Calf Herds

The beef industry continues to change is response to changing consumer demands and increasing competition from other protein sources. However, the foundation of a viable beef industry is effective resource management by cattle producers. Unlike most other agricultural enterprises, beef cow owners must manage their herds to make the most profit from the available resources while ensuring the lon...