Impact of thetexas beef partnership in extension program on profitability of beef cow-calf herds.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether beef herds could increase profitability by reducing production cost per 100 lb (hundredweight [CWTI; ie, 45.4 kg) of calf through implementation of advice from teams of veterinarians and county extension agents supported by university specialists.


METHODS
Longitudinal study.


METHODS
6 commercial cow-calf herds comprising 1,927 cows.


METHODS
Teams of veterinarians and county extension agents provided advice on 25 profitable ranch management practices to herd owners for 3 years. Use of each practice in herds was measured on a scale of 1 to 5 for baseline year 1999. Similar measurements were made at the end of each year for comparison with baseline values. Outcomes were measured by standardized performance analysis.


RESULTS
Mean weaning weight of calves per exposed cow of the 6 herds increased significantly from 1999 (2000, 26.8 kg [59 lb; 17%]; 2001, 49.1 kg [108 lb; 31%]; and 2002, 43.2 kg [95 lb; 27%]). Mean cost per CWT of calf decreased significantly from the 1999 value (2000, -$20.04 [-18%]; 2001, -$33.40 [-29%]; and 2002, -$22.52 [-20%]). Additional profits for the 6 herds were $54,407 in 2000, $135,695 in 2001, and $116,089 in 2002 (3-year total of $306,191). Mean increase in management score of herds was positively correlated with increase in net income and accounted for > 60% of increased profits.


CONCLUSIONS
Profitability of beef cow-calf operations can be substantially increased through a team approach by identifying opportunities for improvements in management and helping ranch managers implement profitable practices.
Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4475, USA.
Steven E
SE
Wikse
James M
JM
McGrann
Dennis B
DB
Herd
Lawrence L
LL
Falconer
Patricia S
PS
Holland
Francisco J
FJ
Abello
Glenn M
GM
Rogers
Douglas C
DC
Richardson
Darwin R
DR
Yoder
Satheesh
S
Ramachandran
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000191:economics; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000254:growth & development; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D007182:Income; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000191:economics; D012098:Reproduction; D013781:Texas; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain