Impact of Cow Size on Economic Profitability in Cow-Calf and Feedlot Production systmes

Authors

Robert L. Ziegler, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Elliott James Dennis, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
J. A. Musgrave, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
T. L. Meyer, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
R. Funston, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Kathryn J. Hanford, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
J. C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
J. Travis Mulliniks, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Date of this Version

2022

Citation

2022 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

This study retrospectively evaluated the effect of cow size on profitability in the cow-calf segment and retained ownership of steer calves in the feedlot. Data were collected between 2005 to 2017 from the cowherd at Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory. From these data, two separate herds were assumed, one consisting of small-sized (1,000 lb) cows and another consisting of large-sized cows (1,220 lb) for the GSL cowherd. Larger cows weaned larger calves and produced heavier carcass weights of steers at slaughter. However, smaller cows generated more total pounds of output throughout the entire production system based on more calves retained in feedlots and more cull cows. Regardless of the pricing method used (i.e., live, carcass, grid), cow-calf producers in the Nebraska Sandhills maximized the highest amount of profit by selecting smaller cows.