Management Characteristics of Beef Cattle Production in the Northern Plains and Midwest Regions of the United States

Authors

Senorpe Asem-Hiablie, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceFollow
C. Alan Rotz, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
Robert Stout, Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, National Cattlemen's Beef Association

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

Professional Animal Scientist (2016) 32: 736–749

doi: 10.15232/pas.2016-01539

Comments

United States government work

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.