By Andi Anderson
As the year draws to a close, cow-calf operators are evaluating their herd's performance. Two key measures reveal crucial insights: weaning rate and pounds weaned per cow. Both significantly impact your bottom line and deserve close attention.
1. Weaning Rate:
- Definition: Percentage of cows exposed to a bull that successfully wean a calf.
- Impact: Higher weaning rates translate to higher revenue per cow.
- Example: A 5% increase in weaning rate can boost revenue per cow by over $60.
- Improving Weaning Rate: Investigate potential causes of low weaning rates, such as breeding problems or calf losses.
2. Pounds Weaned per Cow:
- Definition: Total weaned weight divided by the number of cows exposed to a bull.
- Concept: Similar to a yield measure in crop production, this reflects "weaned calf per cow."
- Significance: Higher pounds weaned per cow indicate greater potential revenue.
- Factors Affecting: Weaning rate and average weaning weight play crucial roles.
- Actionable Steps: Increasing either weaning rate or weaning weight can lead to higher revenue.
By diligently tracking and improving these two key measures, cow-calf producers can unlock significant profit potential. Remember, while these metrics are essential, consider all aspects of your operation for optimal decision-making.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-vwalakte
Categories: Ohio, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle