An Introduction to CowCalf Production

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An Introduction to Cow/Calf Production
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Pop Quiz
How much Antibiotic X would you give to a 500
pound calf if the dose was 5 cc / cwt?
If a rancher culls a cow what is he doing to her?
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?762,880 beef cow operations ?32.9 million head
of beef cow ?Average herd size is 47 head
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?20,000 beef cow operations ?1.94 million beef
cows (5.9 of the national herd) ?Top 3 cow
counties in the U.S. ?Average herd size of 97
head ?12.1 billion economic impact
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Cattle by-products

• Foods-marshmallows, mayonnaise, oleo, chewing
  gum, cake mixes, and pasta
• Home products-candles, cellophane, detergent,
  paints, floor wax, wallpaper, sheet rock, and
  glues
• Personal care items-bandages, cosmetics,
  deodorants, perfumes, soap, shaving cream, and
  bandage adhesive
• Transportation uses-antifreeze, tires, asphalt,
  hydraulic brake fluid, bone charcoal for ball
  bearings, car waxes, and machine oils and other
  viscous fluids
• Miscellaneous items -tortoise shell, combs,
  imitation ivory, piano keys, artists paint
  brushes, and crayons

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Economics

• Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA)
• Breakeven
• Annual cow cost
• Weaning weight
• Percent calf crop

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Annual cow cost

• Feed Costs
• Labor
• Taxes
• Veterinary expenses
• Interest on loans
• 734.35/cow/year

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Weaning weights

• Dependent on several factors

• Age

- Nutrition
- Genetics

• Average weights

• Client A 462 (185d), 510 (193d), 535 (201d)
• Client B 558 (196d), 546 (204d)

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Percent calf crop
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Breakeven example
Annual cow cost
BE
Weaning wt. x Percent calf crop
734.35
BE
1.55/lbs.
532 lbs. x 89
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Calf prices

• Last week - 1.07/lbs
• 3 year average - 1.27/lbs
• 10 year average - 1.02/lbs
• 30 year average - .72/lbs

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Cow Nutritional Demands

• Phase 1
• Middle 1/3 of pregnancy
• Requirements are just above maintenance
• Phase 2
• Last 1/3 of pregnancy
• Increased energy requirement
• Phase 3
• From calving to breeding
• Energy and protein requirements are 70 and 100
  greater than phase 1
• Phase 4
• Breeding to weaning
• Lower requirements