June versus March Calving for the Nebraska Sandhills: Economic Comparisons

Authors

Gordon Carriker, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dick Clark, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Don C. Adams, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Russ Sandberg, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 2001

Comments

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 2001, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Abstract

Costs and returns of June and March calving systems were compared at four production phases. Financial costs of the June system were lowest, due primarily to lower costs of producing a weaned calf. Post-weaning financial and economic costs at each phase were nearly identical. Selling June-born steer calves at January weaning would double net returns compared to selling March-born steer calves at October weaning due to lower costs and higher market prices. Net returns for June-born steer calves retained beyond weaning are highest if calves are retained as yearlings and finished. Calves finished as calf-feds provided the highest net returns for the March calving system.