Optimal Beef Cow Weights in the U.S. Southern Plains

This research investigates net present valueÐmaximizing beef cow weights for U.S. Southern Plains cowÐcalf operations. The relationship between cow weight and calf weaning weight was estimated and weaning weights were simulated for a 15-year time period. Annual returns were computed using cowÐcalf r...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors:	Courtney Bir, Eric A. DeVuyst, Megan Rolf, David Lalman
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	Western Agricultural Economics Association 2018-01-01
Series:	Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Subjects:	calf weaning weight frame size mature cow weight optimal cow weight
Online Access:	https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/267612

id	doaj-1bcdc3d9689940ac915d859f94195e18
record_format	Article
spelling	doaj-1bcdc3d9689940ac915d859f94195e182020-11-25T00:15:36ZengWestern Agricultural Economics AssociationJournal of Agricultural and Resource Economics1068-55022327-82852018-01-0143110311710.22004/ag.econ.267612267612Optimal Beef Cow Weights in the U.S. Southern PlainsCourtney BirEric A. DeVuystMegan RolfDavid LalmanThis research investigates net present valueÐmaximizing beef cow weights for U.S. Southern Plains cowÐcalf operations. The relationship between cow weight and calf weaning weight was estimated and weaning weights were simulated for a 15-year time period. Annual returns were computed using cowÐcalf revenues and production costs for cows with mature weight between 950 and 1,800 pounds. A grid search showed that optimal cow size was 950 pounds across scenarios. Selection for growth may improve feedlot profitability but has deleterious effects on cowÐcalf producers. Development of smaller-framed maternal lines may improve sector profits.https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/267612calf weaning weightframe sizemature cow weightoptimal cow weight
collection	DOAJ
language	English
format	Article
sources	DOAJ
author	Courtney Bir Eric A. DeVuyst Megan Rolf David Lalman
spellingShingle	Courtney Bir Eric A. DeVuyst Megan Rolf David Lalman Optimal Beef Cow Weights in the U.S. Southern Plains Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics calf weaning weight frame size mature cow weight optimal cow weight
author_facet	Courtney Bir Eric A. DeVuyst Megan Rolf David Lalman
author_sort	Courtney Bir
title	Optimal Beef Cow Weights in the U.S. Southern Plains
title_short	Optimal Beef Cow Weights in the U.S. Southern Plains
title_full	Optimal Beef Cow Weights in the U.S. Southern Plains
title_fullStr	Optimal Beef Cow Weights in the U.S. Southern Plains
title_full_unstemmed	Optimal Beef Cow Weights in the U.S. Southern Plains
title_sort	optimal beef cow weights in the u.s. southern plains
publisher	Western Agricultural Economics Association
series	Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics
issn	1068-5502 2327-8285
publishDate	2018-01-01
description	This research investigates net present valueÐmaximizing beef cow weights for U.S. Southern Plains cowÐcalf operations. The relationship between cow weight and calf weaning weight was estimated and weaning weights were simulated for a 15-year time period. Annual returns were computed using cowÐcalf revenues and production costs for cows with mature weight between 950 and 1,800 pounds. A grid search showed that optimal cow size was 950 pounds across scenarios. Selection for growth may improve feedlot profitability but has deleterious effects on cowÐcalf producers. Development of smaller-framed maternal lines may improve sector profits.
topic	calf weaning weight frame size mature cow weight optimal cow weight
url	https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/267612
work_keys_str_mv	AT courtneybir optimalbeefcowweightsintheussouthernplains AT ericadevuyst optimalbeefcowweightsintheussouthernplains AT meganrolf optimalbeefcowweightsintheussouthernplains AT davidlalman optimalbeefcowweightsintheussouthernplains
_version_	1725385912870764544

Optimal Beef Cow Weights in the U.S. Southern Plains

Similar Items