Enhancing Management Decisions – History of the Decision Evaluator for the Cattle Industry

Authors

Barry Dunn, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
T. G. Jenkins, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SDFollow
C. B. Williams, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD

Date of this Version

December 1999

Comments

Published for Proceedings, The Range Beef Cow Symposium XVI December 14, 15 and 16, 1999 - Greeley, Colorado.

Abstract

Ranch management is the decision making process of resource allocation for a business enterprise that manages natural resources, animals and capitol to meet goals of profitability and sustainability. While this brief sentence captures the essence of ranch management, simplicity is hardly one of ranch decision-making's characteristics. The diagram in Figure 1 has been used to describe the challenge of ranch management as a web of information and complex interrelationships that influence the viability of a beef cattle enterprise. While even this diagram simplifies the complexities faced by ranchers as they grapple with decisions, it does add sensitivity and understanding.