United States Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications
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Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
2016
Citation
Professional Animal Scientist (2016) 32: 736–749
doi: 10.15232/pas.2016-01539
Abstract
A comprehensive life cycle assessment of United States beef will provide benchmarks and identify opportunities for improvement. On-going region-specific data collection is characterizing cattle production practices for a more accurate assessment. This study reports production information obtained via online surveys and on-site visits from 2 of 7 regions: the Northern Plains (Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota) and Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin). Ranch responses (n = 512) represented 1.6% of beef cows maintained in both regions with operation sizes varying from 1 to 12,500 cows. Feedlot responses (n = 120) represented 9.6 and 3.7% of cattle finished in the Northern Plains and Midwest, respectively. Ranch herd sizes increased and stocking rates decreased moving westward. Average animal BW increased from south to north.
Comments
United States government work