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A new way to study cow profitability?
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<blockquote data-quote="cypressfarms" data-source="post: 618172" data-attributes="member: 2653"><p>o.k., back with some data:</p><p></p><p>The following info has been compiled over the last three seasons at my farm. please, before you criticize my weaning weights, please take in mind that I do live down deep south, and my weaning weights will not be as much as our friends to the north. I never liked those that showed off numbers, but from number crunching:</p><p></p><p>Small frame cows ~ 900 pounds weaned calves that were 51% of their weight over the three years.</p><p>Medium frame cows ~ 1100 pounds weaned calves that were 45% of their weight over the three years.</p><p>Large frame cows ~ 1300 pounds weaned calves that were 40% of their weight over the three years.</p><p></p><p>All cows are commercial brangus and beefmaster, bred to Angus plus and Brangus low birthweight bulls. I like small calves, around 75 to 85 pounds, and that has held true (the birthweight of the calves), regardless of the size of the cow - this actually surprised me. I assumed that larger cows would naturally have slightly larger calves, but that wasn't the case.</p><p></p><p>So, now the questions:</p><p></p><p>1. Large frame cows in my operation are 30% larger than small frame cows, but only wean calves that are 11% heavier. This is a 29% difference. What I haven't answered yet is are the larger cows costing 11% more than small frame cows to upkeep? If so, then it seems the smaller cow produces better efficiencies when weaning calves. As an example, a 1300 pound cow would require 3.6 cc's more of Ivomec Plus to treat than a 900 pound cow. These are the types of costs that I'm contemplating.</p><p></p><p>2. I have NO idea which cows eat what amounts of hay and grass. For most cattlemen, I think they would also have no idea what each cow consumes when compared to other cows. I know my boss cow (who is large framed) gets to the feed trough/bales of hay first and has her choice, but does she eat more? In my opinion, there is no way I can accurately calculate cow consumption, so to try would be fruitless.</p><p></p><p>3. I have seen the adverse affect when large calves bring lower prices, but is this reliable enough to calculate to make a decision on what frame cows to keep?</p><p></p><p>4. From first glance, small frame cows would be the more economical choice, but where I live, grass is rarely in short supply. This means that for the most part my land can support big cows sufficiently. I guess the choice would be between fewer big cows, or more smaller cows. Now I have an almost equal mix - still not sure if I should make changes, but data like posted on this thread makes you think long and hard.</p><p></p><p>Please think twice before tearing up my weaning weights. They are low compared to many of the people who brag about their weanling weighing 700 pounds. They work for me, and are accurate numbers.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="cypressfarms, post: 618172, member: 2653"] o.k., back with some data: The following info has been compiled over the last three seasons at my farm. please, before you criticize my weaning weights, please take in mind that I do live down deep south, and my weaning weights will not be as much as our friends to the north. I never liked those that showed off numbers, but from number crunching: Small frame cows ~ 900 pounds weaned calves that were 51% of their weight over the three years. Medium frame cows ~ 1100 pounds weaned calves that were 45% of their weight over the three years. Large frame cows ~ 1300 pounds weaned calves that were 40% of their weight over the three years. All cows are commercial brangus and beefmaster, bred to Angus plus and Brangus low birthweight bulls. I like small calves, around 75 to 85 pounds, and that has held true (the birthweight of the calves), regardless of the size of the cow - this actually surprised me. I assumed that larger cows would naturally have slightly larger calves, but that wasn't the case. So, now the questions: 1. Large frame cows in my operation are 30% larger than small frame cows, but only wean calves that are 11% heavier. This is a 29% difference. What I haven't answered yet is are the larger cows costing 11% more than small frame cows to upkeep? If so, then it seems the smaller cow produces better efficiencies when weaning calves. As an example, a 1300 pound cow would require 3.6 cc's more of Ivomec Plus to treat than a 900 pound cow. These are the types of costs that I'm contemplating. 2. I have NO idea which cows eat what amounts of hay and grass. For most cattlemen, I think they would also have no idea what each cow consumes when compared to other cows. I know my boss cow (who is large framed) gets to the feed trough/bales of hay first and has her choice, but does she eat more? In my opinion, there is no way I can accurately calculate cow consumption, so to try would be fruitless. 3. I have seen the adverse affect when large calves bring lower prices, but is this reliable enough to calculate to make a decision on what frame cows to keep? 4. From first glance, small frame cows would be the more economical choice, but where I live, grass is rarely in short supply. This means that for the most part my land can support big cows sufficiently. I guess the choice would be between fewer big cows, or more smaller cows. Now I have an almost equal mix - still not sure if I should make changes, but data like posted on this thread makes you think long and hard. Please think twice before tearing up my weaning weights. They are low compared to many of the people who brag about their weanling weighing 700 pounds. They work for me, and are accurate numbers. [/QUOTE]
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