Simulating Beef Cattle Herd Productivity with Varying Cow Liveweight and Fixed Feed Supply

Lydia J. Farrell, Stephen T. Morris, Paul R. Kenyon and Peter Tozer
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Lydia J. Farrell: Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Mellows Campus, Athenry, H65 R718 Co. Galway, Ireland
Stephen T. Morris: School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Paul R. Kenyon: School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: The liveweight of New Zealand beef cows has increased in recent decades due to selection for higher growth rates. Published data suggest that the efficiency of beef cow production decreases with increasing cow liveweight. Changes in beef herd size, feed demand, production, and cash operating surplus (COS) were simulated with average mature cow liveweight varied to 450, 500, 550, and 600 kg. With total annual beef feed demand fixed at the same level, in all scenarios cow numbers and numbers of weaned calves decreased with increasing cow liveweight. When the model was run with consistent efficiency of calf production across the mature cow liveweights (scenario A), heavier cows were more profitable. However, using published efficiency data (scenarios B and C), herds of heavier cows were less profitable. The likely most realistic scenario for New Zealand hill country farms (scenario B) had COS decrease from New Zealand Dollars (NZD) 456/ha with a herd of 450 kg cows to NZD 424/ha with 600 kg cows. Reductions in COS were relatively small, which may not deter farmers from breeding heavier cows for higher calf growth rates. However, the results of this analysis combined with indirect potential economic impacts suggest that the heaviest cows may not be optimal for New Zealand hill country conditions.

Keywords: herd dynamics; herd size; profit; bio-economic; system dynamics; New Zealand; feed demand; efficiency; weaning weight ratio; WWR (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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