Article
Cow size and age as economic drivers of beef production systems in the Nebraska Sandhills
The Professional Animal Scientist
(2016)
Abstract
Contribution of cow age and size to
profitability of beef production systems
in the Nebraska Sandhills was analyzed
using hedonic methodology. Four years
of cow-calf production systems data from
197 observations per year were used.
Historical prices for inputs and production
outputs were used. Pooled hedonic
type regression models, representing 9
possible production system scenarios,
evaluated the effect of cow size and age
on profitability. Each model included
production year, marketing year, calving
season, calf BW at birth, calf weaning
age, calf BW at weaning, average cow
BW, cow age, wintering system, calf sex,
and postweaning system as independent
variables. Three variables—(1) calf BW
at birth, (2) calf BW at weaning, and (3)
calf weaning age—were used as dependent
variables in 3 secondary regressions.
The secondary estimated effects
were added to the primary estimated
effects providing an adjusted estimate of
cow characteristics on net returns. In
general, animals marketed at slaughter
contribute more positively to profit if
they are from heavier cows. Conversely,
if animals are sold at weaning or as
yearlings, calves born to the lightest
dams contribute most to returns. Dam
age also contributes to returns differentially
depending on marketing scheme.
Younger dams contribute more to profit
if cattle are marketed on a hot carcass
basis, whereas grid pricing favors contribution
to returns of more mature dams.
If profit is the motive, the contribution
cow size and age make on profitability
may or may not be worth considering
depending on both production and marketing
scheme.
Keywords
- cow age,
- cow size,
- economics,
- profitability
Disciplines
Publication Date
2016
Citation Information
Sunil P. Dhoubhadel. "Cow size and age as economic drivers of beef production systems in the Nebraska Sandhills" The Professional Animal Scientist Vol. 32 Iss. 4 (2016) p. 420 - 429 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sunil-dhoubhadel/20/