The critical success factors for running a high profit beef cowherd are (1) low overall costs, (2) low feed costs, (3) average or above calf weaning weight per cow exposed, and (4) high gross income. These four critical success factors collectively determine unit cost of production, which is the cost of producing a hundredweight of calf. This is the most powerful measure of economic efficiency in any beef cowherd.

The belief that profits are highly correlated with high weaning weights is not necessarily true. High production efficiency [high level of outputs versus inputs] is a necessary condition, but not the only condition, for reaching a high net income.

---Harlan Hughes, North Dakota State University

Milk EPDs are expressed as pounds of calf weaning weight due to the dam’s maternal ability, rather than actual pounds of milk produced.  Compared to many other regions of the country, the Upper Midwest and Northeast have relatively abundant feed conditions.  Therefore, bulls with higher milk EPDs can generally be used.  In other regions where feed resources are more limited, selection for high milk EPDs may jeopardize reproduction.   Shown below are the results of a study conducted in the semi-arid Northern Plains environment.  Note that as body size and milk production increased from medium/medium to large/high there was a tendency for reduced longevity.

* Adapted from MacNeil et al., 1994.

--Harlan Ritchie, Distinguished Professor of Animal Science, Michigan State University