Reproductive Failure and Long-Term Profitability of Spring- and Fall-Calving Beef Cows

Abstract

We determined how reproductive failure impacts the long-term profitability of beef cows in spring and fall-calving herds. Simulation models were established to generate distributions of net present value, payback periods, and breakeven prices of calves when a dam fails to wean zero, one, or two calves over her life. Results indicate that giving a dam another calving opportunity after failing to wean a calf would likely result in her being unprofitable. A producer would be better off selling the open dam than giving her another chance to breed. This illustrates the value in selecting replacement heifers based on fertility.