|
2002 Annual Report Grassland Section |
Dickinson
Research Extension Center
1089 State Avenue Dickinson, ND 58601 |
Pasture
and Forage Costs-Returns of Twelve-Month
Management
Strategies for Range Cows
Llewellyn
L. Manske PhD
Range Scientist
North
Dakota State University
Dickinson Research
Extension Center
Introduction
The pasture-forage factors
that contribute to high beef production costs in the Northern Plains need to
be identified before the profit margin can be improved. Achieving this determination
requires that management practices be scientifically evaluated for pasture and
harvested-forage costs, which constitute the greatest portion of the total annual
production costs for a beef cow and calf. Because the daily requirements for
cows differ with production period, proper evaluation of management strategies
comprises two steps: evaluation of pasture and forage costs for each production
period and evaluation of the management strategies for livestock production
periods as components within a complete 12-month pasture-forage management system.
Effectively reducing livestock production costs for range cows by reducing 12-month
pasture and harvested-forage costs during all of the cows' production periods
requires an understanding of the production costs of common traditional practices
and the costs of readily available alternative management practices.
This study evaluated several
12-month pasture-forage management strategies to determine the pasture-forage
costs and returns for range cows during the cows' production periods. The 12-month
pasture-forage management strategies were identified by the type of grazing
system used during the native rangeland segment: 12.0-month repeated seasonal,
6.0-month seasonlong, 4.5-month seasonlong, 4.0-month deferred, and 4.5-month
twice-over rotation. The management strategy costs evaluated were pasture or
land rent values per acre; production costs per acre; costs per unit of forage
dry matter; costs per unit of nutrient; land area per animal unit; forage feed
costs per day, per month, or per production period; and costs per pound of calf
weight gain.
Procedure
This study was conducted
at the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center, located in western North Dakota.
The native rangeland vegetation is the Wheatgrass-Needlegrass Type (Barker and
Whitman 1988) of the mixed grass prairie. The dominant native range species
are western wheatgrass, needle and thread, blue grama, and threadleaved sedge.
Crested wheatgrass and Altai wildrye pastures were seeded as monocultures, but
a small assortment of forb and other grass species developed as minor components.
Pasture-forage costs and returns were evaluated from cow and calf weight performance
data collected on grazing management treatments involved in pasture research
projects conducted between 1983 and 1998 and from forage production data collected
on harvested-forage types between 1995 and 1999. Native rangeland herbage weight
data used in the determination of stocking rate for the 12.0-month native range
grazing strategy were collected monthly from ungrazed plots. The research data
collected during severe water stress or drought periods were not included in
this study.
Commercial Hereford and
Angus-Hereford cows with Charolais-sired calves were allocated to grazing treatments
each spring. Individual animals were weighed on and off each treatment and at
biweekly or monthly intervals during the grazing season. The livestock weight
data collected on the grazing treatments were used to determine cow and calf
weight performance. Range cow daily nutritional requirements, which change with
cow size, level of milk production, and production period, were taken from NRC
(1996). Dry matter and crude protein requirements were determined for cows with
an average weight of 1200 pounds. An assumed price of $0.70 per pound was used
to determine the economic value of calf accumulated weight.
Forage costs for harvested-forage
types used as feed for range cows were evaluated as components of 12-month management
systems. Forage dry matter yield per acre and percent crude protein data for
perennial domesticated grass hay and annual cereal and annual legume hays were
taken from a previous study (Manske and Carr 2000). Percent crude protein data
for native range grasses were taken from Whitman et al. (1951) and Manske (1999
a, b). Supplemental crude protein was provided as 20% crude protein range cake,
at a cost of $120.00 per ton. Supplemental forage dry matter was provided as
roughage, at a cost of $35.00 per ton.
The pasture rent value
of $8.76 per acre was used to determine costs for native rangeland and domesticated
grass pastures. One treatment of crested wheatgrass was fertilized annually
with 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre, at an average cost of $12.50 per acre.
The value of $2.00 per acre was used for cropland aftermath grazing costs: grazing
on cropland aftermath is not without cost even if most of the costs are charged
to the harvested crop. Land rent values of $22.07 per acre for cropland and
$14.22 per acre for domesticated grass hayland were used in the determination
of forage production costs for the harvested forages.
Pasture and forage costs
of feed to meet livestock dry matter and crude protein requirements were determined
during this study. Production costs per acre were determined by adding average
land rent per acre, custom farm work rates, seed costs per acre, and baling
costs at per half ton rates. Costs per ton of forage dry matter (DM) were determined
by dividing production costs per acre by pounds of forage dry matter yield per
acre and multiplying the quotient by 2000 pounds. Costs per pound of crude protein
(CP) were determined in two stages: first, pounds of forage dry matter per acre
were multiplied by percentage of forage crude protein to derive pounds of crude
protein per acre; then, production costs per acre were divided by pounds of
crude protein per acre. Pasture land area per animal unit per month was determined
in two stages: first, pounds of forage dry matter per acre were divided by pounds
of forage dry matter required per animal unit per day to derive number of grazing
days per acre; then, the average number of days per month was divided by the
number of grazing days per acre. Harvested-forage land area per animal unit
per month or per production period was determined in two stages: first, pounds
of crude protein required per animal per day during a production period were
divided by percentage of crude protein of forage type to derive pounds of forage
dry matter to provide as feed per animal unit per day; then, pounds of forage
dry matter to feed per day were divided by pounds of forage dry matter per acre,
and the quotient was multiplied by 30 days per month, 30.5 days per month, or
the number of days per production period. Forage feed costs per animal per day
(D), per month (Mo), or per production period (PP) were determined in three
stages: first, production costs per acre were divided by pounds of forage dry
matter per acre, and that quotient was divided by percentage of forage crude
protein to derive cost per pound of crude protein; next, the cost per pound
of crude protein was multiplied by pounds of crude protein required per animal
per day during a production period; then, the feed costs per day were multiplied
by 30 days per month, 30.5 days per month, or the number of days per production
period. Costs per pound of calf weight gain were determined in two stages: first,
accumulated calf weight gain was determined by subtracting calf live weight
at the beginning of a growth period from calf live weight at the end of a growth
period; then, total pasture costs or forage production costs for a calf growth
period were divided by the accumulated calf weight for the growth period.
Management Strategies
The descriptions of the
12-month pasture-forage management strategies begin with the dry gestation production
period on the day after the previous calf was weaned and progress to the third
trimester production period and the birth of a calf, then through early lactation,
spring lactation, summer lactation, and fall lactation periods, until the weaning
of the calf. Harvested forages included in the 12-month management strategies
were cut by swathing and were then rolled into large round bales. Mature crested
wheatgrass hay was cut at a mature plant stage. Forage barley hay was cut at
the milk stage.
The 12.0-month repeated
seasonal (12.0 M RS) management strategy was developed from herbage biomass
data collected monthly from ungrazed plots. This strategy was evaluated as a
sequence of separate native range pastures grazed at proper stocking rates,
with each pasture grazed repeatedly during one livestock production period,
at the same time (season) each consecutive year, and not grazed during any other
production periods. A native range pasture was grazed for 32 days from mid November
to mid December, during the dry gestation production period, at a stocking rate
of 4.00 acres per cow per month, and supplemental range cake was provided. A
native range pasture was grazed for 90 days from mid December to mid March,
during the third trimester production period, at a stocking rate of 4.97 acres
per cow per month, and supplemental range cake was provided. The calves were
born in mid March. A native range pasture was grazed for 45 days from mid March
to late April, during the early lactation production period, at a stocking rate
of 6.48 acres per cow-calf pair per month, and supplemental range cake was provided.
A native range pasture was grazed for 31 days in May, during the spring lactation
period, at a stocking rate of 4.62 acres per cow-calf pair per month. A native
range pasture was grazed for 137 days from early June to mid October, during
the summer lactation period, at a stocking rate of 2.52 acres per cow-calf pair
per month. A native range pasture was grazed for 15 days from mid to late October,
during the early portion of the fall lactation period, at a stocking rate of
4.20 acres per cow-calf pair per month, and supplemental range cake was provided.
A native range pasture was grazed for 15 days from early to mid November, during
the late portion of the fall lactation period, at a stocking rate of 5.00 acres
per cow-calf pair per month, and supplemental range cake was provided. The calves
were weaned in mid November.
Cows on the 6.0-month seasonlong
(6.0 M SL) management strategy were fed a harvested-forage ration of mature
crested wheatgrass hay and roughage for 32 days from mid November to mid December,
during the dry gestation production period. Cows were fed a harvested-forage
ration of mature crested wheatgrass hay and range cake for 90 days from mid
December to mid March, during the third trimester production period. The calves
were born in mid March. Cows were fed a balanced dry lot ration of crested wheatgrass,
alfalfa, and corn silage for 60 days from mid March to mid May, during the early
lactation production period. The grazing portion of the 6.0-month seasonlong
management strategy started in mid May. Livestock were moved to a single native
range pasture stocked at 4.04 acres per cow-calf pair per month. Livestock grazed
on the pasture for 183 days, until mid November, when the calves were weaned.
Cows on the 4.5-month seasonlong
(4.5 M SL) management strategy were fed a harvested-forage ration of mature
crested wheatgrass hay and roughage for 32 days from mid November to mid December,
during the dry gestation production period. Cows were fed a harvested-forage
ration of mature crested wheatgrass hay and range cake for 90 days from mid
December to mid March, during the third trimester production period. The calves
were born in mid March. Animals were fed a balanced dry lot ration of crested
wheatgrass, alfalfa, and corn silage for 45 days from mid March to late April,
during the early lactation production period. The grazing portion of the 4.5-month
seasonlong management strategy started in early May. For the first 31 days livestock
grazed an unfertilized crested wheatgrass pasture stocked at 1.82 acres per
cow-calf pair per month. In early June livestock were moved to one native range
pasture stocked at 2.86 acres per cow-calf pair per month. Livestock grazed
on this pasture for 137 days, until mid October, when they were moved to cropland
aftermath stocked at 6.63 acres per cow-calf pair per month. Livestock grazed
cropland aftermath pastures until mid November, when the calves were weaned.
Cows on the 4.0-month deferred
(4.0 M Def) management strategy grazed cropland aftermath at a stocking rate
of 6.63 acres per cow per month for 32 days from mid November to mid December,
during the dry gestation production period. Cows were fed a harvested-forage
ration of mature crested wheatgrass hay and range cake for 90 days from mid
December to mid March, during the third trimester production period. The calves
were born in mid March. Cows were fed a balanced dry lot ration of crested wheatgrass,
alfalfa, and corn silage for 45 days from mid March to late April, during the
early lactation production period. The grazing portion of the 4.0-month deferred
management strategy started in early May. For the first 76 days livestock grazed
an unfertilized crested wheatgrass pasture stocked at 1.67 acres per cow-calf
pair per month. In mid July the livestock were moved to one native range pasture
stocked at 2.22 acres per cow-calf pair per month. Livestock grazed on this
pasture for 122 days, until mid November, when the calves were weaned.
Cows on the 4.5-month twice-over
rotation (4.5 M TOR) management strategy were fed a harvested-forage ration
of early cut forage barley hay and roughage for 32 days from mid November to
mid December, during the dry gestation production period. Cows were fed a harvested-forage
ration of early cut forage barley hay and roughage for 90 days from mid December
to mid March, during the third trimester production period. The calves were
born in mid March. Cows were fed a harvested-forage ration of early cut forage
barley hay and roughage for 45 days from mid March to late April, during the
early lactation production period. The grazing portion of the 4.5-month twice-over
rotation management strategy started in early May. For the first 31 days livestock
grazed a fertilized (50 lbs N/acre on 1 April) crested wheatgrass pasture stocked
at 0.75 acres per cow-calf pair per month. The livestock were then moved to
one of three native range pastures stocked at 2.04 acres per cow-calf pair per
month. Livestock remained on native range for 137 days, grazing each pasture
for two periods, one 15-day period between 1 June and 15 July (when lead tillers
of grasses were between the third-leaf stage and flowering stage) and one 30-day
period after 15 July (after secondary tillers of grasses reached the third-leaf
stage) and prior to mid October. The first pasture grazed in the sequence was
the last pasture grazed the previous year. In mid October the livestock were
moved to an Altai wildrye pasture stocked at 1.39 acres per cow-calf pair per
month. Livestock grazed on this pasture for 30 days, until mid November, when
the calves were weaned.
Results
Twelve-month pasture-forage
costs for each management strategy are shown in tables 1-5.
Pasture-forage returns for management strategies are shown in tables
6-7. Pasture-forage feed costs per production period for management strategies
are shown in table 8. Costs per pound of calf weight for management
strategies are shown in table 9.
12.0-month repeated seasonal
The 12.0-month repeated
seasonal management strategy was developed from monthly herbage biomass data
collected from ungrazed plots. It was evaluated as a system of separate native
range pastures grazed at proper stocking rates, with each pasture grazed repeatedly
during one livestock production period, at the same time each year. Calf weight
and performance on this management strategy were estimated based on 1.80 lbs
average daily gain and 95 lbs birth weight.
Cows grazed a reserved
native range pasture during the dry gestation production period. Native range
pasture during the fall dormancy period has a crude protein content of around
4.8%. Late-season native range forage had pasture rent value or production costs
of $8.76 per acre, forage dry matter costs of $97.33 per ton, and crude protein
costs of $1.01 per pound. A cow grazing during the dry gestation production
period required 4.00 acres of native range pasture per month, or 4.27 acres
per period, at a cost of $1.17 per day, $35.10 per month, or $37.44 for the
32-day period. The crude protein content of mature native range forage is below
the requirements of a cow in the dry gestation stage, and crude protein would
need to be supplemented at 0.34 lbs per day, or 10.2 lbs per month per cow,
at a cost of $3.26 per period. Total feed cost was $40.70, or $1.27 per day,
during the dry gestation period.
Cows grazed a reserved
native range pasture during the third trimester production period. Native range
pasture during the fall and winter dormancy period has a crude protein content
of around 4.8%. Late-season native range forage had production costs of $8.76
per acre, forage dry matter costs of $120.83 per ton, and crude protein costs
of $1.26 per pound. A cow grazing during the third trimester required 4.97 acres
of native range pasture per month, or 14.90 acres per period, at a cost of $1.45
per day, $43.50 per month, or $130.50 for the 90-day production period. The
crude protein content of mature native range forage is below the requirements
of a cow in the third trimester, and crude protein would need to be supplemented
at 0.72 lbs per cow per day, or 64.8 lbs per cow for the 90-day period, at a
cost of $19.44 per period. Total feed cost was $149.94, or $1.67 per day, during
the third trimester period. The calves were born in mid March, at an average
weight of 95 pounds. The cost per pound of calf birth weight was $1.58.
Cows grazed a reserved
native range pasture during the early lactation period. During early spring,
forage on native range pasture has a crude protein content of around 9.2%. Early
spring native range forage had production costs of $8.76 per acre, forage dry
matter costs of $140.16 per ton, and crude protein costs of $0.76 per pound.
A cow grazing during the early lactation period required 6.48 acres of native
range pasture per month and 9.72 acres per period, at a cost of $1.89 per day,
$56.70 per month, or $85.05 for the 45-day period. The crude protein content
of early spring native range forage is below the requirements of a cow during
early lactation, and crude protein would need to be supplemented at 0.25 lbs
per cow per day, or 7.5 lbs per cow per month, at a cost of $3.38 per period.
Total feed cost was $88.43, or $1.97 per day, during the early lactation period.
The cost of calf weight gain was $1.09 per pound.
Cows grazed a native range
pasture for 31 days in May, during the spring lactation period. Spring native
range forage has a crude protein content of around 16.3%. Spring native range
forage had production costs of $8.76 per acre, forage dry matter costs of $89.85
per ton, and crude protein costs of $0.28 per pound. A cow grazing during the
spring lactation period required 4.62 acres per month and 4.77 acres per period,
at a cost of $1.35 per day, or $40.50 per month. Total feed cost was $41.85
during the spring lactation period.
Cows grazed a native range
pasture for 137 days, during the summer lactation period. Native range forage
has a crude protein content of around 9.6% during mid summer. The crude protein
content on native range grasses decreases after mid summer and is below the
requirements of a lactating cow by early August. Summer native range forage
had production costs of $8.76 per acre, forage dry matter costs of $48.26 per
ton, and crude protein costs of $0.25 per pound. A cow grazing during the summer
lactation period required 2.52 acres per month, or 11.32 acres per period, at
a cost of $0.72 per day, or $21.60 per month. Total feed cost was $98.64 during
the summer lactation period. The cost of calf weight gain was $0.54 per pound.
Cows grazed reserved native
range pastures during the fall lactation period. The costs of grazing native
rangeland during the fall were determined separately for the early and late
portions of the period. The costs of grazing native rangeland during the fall
are considerably higher than the costs of grazing native rangeland during the
summer. The weight of the herbage on fall pastures is only about 40% to 60%
of the mid summer herbage weight on grasslands that have had no grazing all
growing season. The crude protein content of fall herbage is around 4.8%, about
half the content of mid summer herbage. Fall-grazed native range pasture forage
had production costs of $8.76 per acre; forage dry matter costs of $80.37 and
$97.33 per ton during early and late fall, respectively; and crude protein costs
of $0.34 and $1.01 per pound during early and late fall, respectively. A lactating
cow grazing during the fall required 4.20 acres and 5.00 acres per month, at
a cost of $36.30 and $43.80 per month, during early and late fall, respectively.
The crude protein content of mature native range forage is below the requirements
of a lactating cow during the fall, and crude protein would need to be supplemented
at 1.21 lbs per cow per day, at a cost of $10.90 per 30-day period. Total feed
cost was $23.85, or $1.59 per day, during the early fall lactation period and
was $27.35, or $1.82 per day, during the late fall lactation period.
Total feed costs for the
12.0-month repeated seasonal management strategy were $470.76 for a 12-month
production period. Calf weaning weight was 532.40 pounds. When calf weaning
weight was assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the gross return was
$372.68 per calf, and the net returns after 12-month pasture-forage costs were
a loss of $98.08 per cow-calf pair and a loss of $1.98 per acre. Each pound
of calf weaning weight cost $0.88 for the 12-month production period.
6.0-month seasonlong
Cows on the 6.0-month seasonlong
management strategy were fed mature crested wheatgrass hay for 32 days, during
the dry gestation production period. Crested wheatgrass cut late, at a mature
plant stage, has a crude protein content of around 6.4%. This low-quality perennial
grass hay had production costs of $28.11 per acre, forage dry matter costs of
$34.80 per ton, and crude protein costs of $0.28 per pound. Late-cut crested
wheatgrass hay would be fed at 23.4 lbs DM/day to provide 1.5 lbs CP/day. An
additional 0.6 lbs of roughage per day, at a cost of $0.34 per period, would
need to be provided. Production of late-cut crested wheatgrass hay to feed a
cow during the dry gestation production period required 0.44 acres per month
and cost $0.41 per day, $12.32 per month, or $13.12 per period. Total feed cost
was $13.46, or $0.42 per day, during the dry gestation period.
Cows on the 6.0-month seasonlong
strategy were fed mature crested wheatgrass hay during the third trimester production
period. Late-cut mature crested wheatgrass hay would need to be fed at 29.7
lbs DM/day to provide 1.9 lbs CP/day. The nutrient content of mature crested
wheatgrass hay is below the dietary requirements of a cow in the third trimester.
An additional 0.33 lbs of crude protein per day, at a cost of $8.91 per period,
would need to be provided when mature crested wheatgrass hay is fed at the dry
matter requirement of 24 lbs DM/day. Production of mature crested wheatgrass
hay to feed a cow in the third trimester required 0.45 acres per month and cost
$0.52 per day, $15.60 per month, or $46.80 for the 90-day production period.
Total feed cost was $55.71, or $0.62 per day, during the third trimester period.
The calves were born in mid March, at an average weight of 95 pounds. The cost
per pound of calf birth weight was $0.59.
Crested wheatgrass, alfalfa,
and corn silage were balanced in a dry lot ration to meet the requirements of
a cow during the early lactation production period. This balanced ration had
production costs of $37.50 per acre and forage dry matter costs of $50.00 per
ton. This ration would be fed at 30.0 lbs DM/day to provide 2.7 lbs CP/day.
Production of the forages in this ration required 0.60 acres per month and cost
$0.75 per day, $22.50 per month, or $45.00 for the 60-day production period.
Mineral supplementation cost $3.00 per period. Total feed cost was $48.00, or
$0.80 per day, during the early lactation period. The cost of calf weight gain
was $0.42 per pound.
The native range period
of the 6.0-month seasonlong treatment was 183 days. Cow weight gain was 0.12
lbs per day and 0.91 lbs per acre; accumulated weight gain was 21.96 lbs. Calf
weight gain was 1.80 lbs per day and 13.59 lbs per acre; accumulated weight
gain was 329.40 lbs. Each cow-calf pair was allotted 24.24 acres, at a cost
of $8.76 per acre. When calf accumulated weight was assumed to have a value
of $0.70 per pound, the gross return was $230.58 per calf, and the net returns
after pasture costs were $18.24 per cow-calf pair and $0.75 per acre. Grazing
for 6.0 months on the 6.0-month seasonlong strategy, a lactating cow and her
calf used 4.04 acres per month, at a cost of $35.39 per month. Total feed cost
was $212.34, or $1.16 per day, during the lactation period. Each accumulated
pound of calf weight cost $0.64 on the native range pasture of the 6.0-month
seasonlong strategy.
Lactating cows that grazed
native rangeland on the 6.0-month seasonlong strategy for 30 days between mid
October and mid November lost 2.65 pounds per day and lost 39.50 pounds per
acre; accumulated weight loss was 79.40 pounds per month. Calf weight gain was
0.59 pounds per day and 8.82 pounds per acre; accumulated weight gain was 17.73
pounds. Each cow-calf pair was allotted 4.04 acres per month, at a cost of $1.16
per day, or $35.39 per month. When calf accumulated weight was assumed to have
a value of $0.70/lb, the gross return was $12.41 per calf, and the net returns
after pasture costs were a loss of $22.98 per cow-calf pair and a loss of $5.69
per acre. Each accumulated pound of calf weight cost $1.99 on the 6.0-month
seasonlong management strategy during mid October to mid November.
Total feed costs for the
6.0-month seasonlong management strategy were $329.51 for a 12-month production
period. Calf weaning weight was 538.40 pounds. When calf weaning weight was
assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the gross return was $376.88 per
calf, and the net returns after 12-month pasture-forage costs were $47.37 per
cow-calf pair and $1.74 per acre. Each pound of calf weaning weight cost $0.61
for the 12-month production period.
4.5-month seasonlong
Cows on the 4.5-month seasonlong
management strategy were fed mature crested wheatgrass hay for 32 days, during
the dry gestation production period. Crested wheatgrass cut late, at a mature
plant stage, has a crude protein content of around 6.4%. This low-quality perennial
grass hay had production costs of $28.11 per acre, forage dry matter costs of
$34.80 per ton, and crude protein costs of $0.28 per pound. Late-cut crested
wheatgrass hay would be fed at 23.4 lbs DM/day to provide 1.5 lbs CP/day. An
additional 0.6 lbs of roughage per day, at a cost of $0.34 per period, would
need to be provided. Production of late-cut crested wheatgrass hay to feed a
cow during the dry gestation production period required 0.44 acres per month
and cost $0.41 per day, $12.32 per month, or $13.12 per period. Total feed cost
was $13.46, or $0.42 per day, during the dry gestation period.
Cows were fed mature crested
wheatgrass hay during the third trimester production period. Late-cut mature
crested wheatgrass hay would need to be fed at 29.7 lbs DM/day to provide 1.9
lbs CP/day. The nutrient content of mature crested wheatgrass hay is below the
dietary requirements of a cow in the third trimester. An additional 0.33 lbs
of crude protein per day, at a cost of $8.91 per period, would need to be provided
when mature crested wheatgrass hay is fed at the dry matter requirement of 24
lbs DM/day. Production of mature crested wheatgrass hay to feed a cow in the
third trimester required 0.45 acres per month and cost $0.52 per day, $15.60
per month, or $46.80 for the 90-day production period. Total feed cost was $55.71,
or $0.62 per day, during the third trimester period. The calves were born in
mid March, at an average weight of 95 pounds. The cost per pound of calf birth
weight was $0.59.
Crested wheatgrass, alfalfa,
and corn silage were balanced in a dry lot ration to meet the requirements of
a cow during the early lactation production period. This balanced ration had
production costs of $37.50 per acre and forage dry matter costs of $50.00 per
ton. This ration would be fed at 30.0 lbs DM/day to provide 2.7 lbs CP/day.
Production of the forages in this ration required 0.60 acres per month and cost
$0.75 per day, $22.50 per month, or $33.75 for the 45-day production period.
Mineral supplementation cost $2.25 per period. Total feed cost was $36.00, or
$0.80 per day, during the early lactation period. The cost of calf weight gain
was $0.42 per pound.
The spring crested wheatgrass
complementary pasture period was 31 days. Cow weight gain was 1.95 lbs per day
and 32.86 lbs per acre; accumulated weight gain was 60.45 lbs. Calf weight gain
was 1.91 lbs per day and 32.18 lbs per acre; accumulated weight gain was 59.21
lbs. Each cow-calf pair was allotted 1.88 acres, at a cost of $8.76 per acre.
Total feed cost was $16.47, or $0.52 per day, during the spring lactation period.
The cost of calf weight gain was $0.27 per pound. When calf accumulated weight
was assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the gross return was $41.45
per calf, and the net returns after pasture costs were $24.98 per cow-calf pair
and $13.29 per acre on crested wheatgrass pasture.
The native range period
of the 4.5-month seasonlong treatment was 137 days. Cow weight gain was 0.34
lbs per day and 3.67 lbs per acre; accumulated weight gain was 46.58 lbs. Calf
weight gain was 2.09 lbs per day and 22.55 lbs per acre; accumulated weight
gain was 286.33 lbs. Each cow-calf pair was allotted 12.70 acres, at a cost
of $8.76 per acre. Total feed cost was $111.25, or $0.81 per day, during the
summer lactation period. The cost of calf weight gain was $0.39 per pound. When
calf accumulated weight was assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the
gross return was $200.43 per calf, and the net returns after pasture costs were
$89.18 per cow-calf pair and $7.02 per acre on native range.
Livestock grazed a cropland
aftermath pasture during the fall lactation period. Lactating cows that grazed
cropland aftermath of annual cereal residue between mid October and mid November
lost 1.26 pounds per day and lost 7.27 pounds per acre. Calf weight gain was
0.42 pounds per day and 1.90 pounds per acre; accumulated weight gain was 12.57
pounds. Each cow-calf pair was allotted 6.63 acres of crop aftermath per month,
at the assessed value of $2.00 per acre. Total feed cost was $13.26, or $0.44
per day, during the fall lactation period. When calf accumulated weight was
assumed to have a value of $0.70/lb, the gross return was $8.80 per calf, and
the net returns after pasture costs were a loss of $4.46 per cow-calf pair and
a loss of $0.67 per acre. Each accumulated pound of calf weight cost $1.05 on
cropland aftermath during mid October to mid November.
The combined crested wheatgrass,
native range, and cropland aftermath pasture types for the 4.5-month seasonlong
strategy yielded an accumulated cow weight gain of 69.23 lbs and an accumulated
calf weight gain of 358.11 lbs on 21.21 acres in 198 days, at a cost of $140.98
per cow-calf pair. When calf accumulated weight was assumed to have a value
of $0.70 per pound, the net returns after pasture costs were $109.70 per cow-calf
pair and $5.17 per acre for portions of the year that cow-calf pairs were grazing
pastures. Grazing for 6.5 months on the 4.5-month seasonlong strategy, a lactating
cow and her calf used 3.26 acres per month, at a cost of $0.71 per day, or $21.72
per month. Each accumulated pound of calf weight cost $0.39 on the pastures
of the 4.5-month seasonlong strategy.
Total feed costs for the
4.5-month seasonlong management strategy were $246.15 for a 12-month production
period. Calf weaning weight was 538.61 pounds. When calf weaning weight was
assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the gross return was $377.03 per
calf, and the net returns after 12-month pasture-forage costs were $130.88 per
cow-calf pair and $5.47 per acre. Each pound of calf weaning weight cost $0.46
for the 12-month production period.
4.0-month deferred
Cows on the 4.0-month deferred
management strategy grazed cropland aftermath for 32 days, during the dry gestation
production period. Crop aftermath of annual cereal stubble has very low crude
protein content. A dry gestating cow grazed 7.10 acres of crop aftermath per
period, at a cost of $13.26 per month when crop aftermath production cost was
valued at $2.00 per acre. Total feed cost was $14.20, or $0.44 per day, during
the dry gestation period. This forage source was below the crude protein requirements
of a dry gestating cow. Dry cows grazing crop aftermath lost an average of 1.14
lbs per day and lost an average of 4.82 lbs per acre; accumulated weight loss
was 36.48 lbs per period.
Cows were fed mature crested
wheatgrass hay during the third trimester production period. Crested wheatgrass
cut late, at a mature plant stage, has a crude protein content of around 6.4%.
This low-quality hay had production costs of $28.11 per acre, forage dry matter
costs of $34.80 per ton, and crude protein costs of $0.28 per pound. This late-cut
hay would need to be fed at 29.7 lbs DM/day to provide 1.9 lbs CP/day. The nutrient
content of mature crested wheatgrass hay is below the dietary requirements of
a cow in the third trimester. An additional 0.33 lbs of crude protein per day,
at a cost of $8.91 per period, would need to be provided when mature crested
wheatgrass hay is fed at the dry matter requirement of 24 lbs DM/day. Production
of mature crested wheatgrass hay to feed a cow in the third trimester required
0.45 acres per month and cost $0.52 per day, $15.60 per month, or $46.80 for
the 90-day production period. Total feed cost was $55.71, or $0.62 per day,
during the third trimester period. The calves were born in mid March, at an
average weight of 95 pounds. The cost per pound of calf birth weight was $0.59.
Crested wheatgrass, alfalfa,
and corn silage were balanced in a dry lot ration to meet the requirements of
a cow during the early lactation production period. This balanced ration had
production costs of $37.50 per acre and forage dry matter costs of $50.00 per
ton. This ration would be fed at 30.0 lbs DM/day to provide 2.7 lbs CP/day.
Production of the forages in this ration required 0.60 acres per month and cost
$0.75 per day, $22.50 per month, or $33.75 for the 45-day production period.
Mineral supplementation cost $2.25 per period. Total feed cost was $36.00, or
$0.80 per day, during the early lactation period. The cost of calf weight gain
was $0.42 per pound.
The spring crested wheatgrass
complementary pasture period was 76 days. Cow weight gain was 0.91 lbs per day
and 16.63 lbs per acre; accumulated weight gain was 69.16 lbs. Calf weight gain
was 1.79 lbs per day and 32.70 lbs per acre; accumulated weight was 136.04 lbs.
Each cow-calf pair was allotted 4.16 acres, at a cost of $8.76 per acre. Total
feed cost was $36.44, or $0.48 per day, during the spring lactation period.
The cost of calf weight gain was $0.27 per pound. When calf accumulated weight
was assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the gross return was $95.23
per calf, and the net returns after pasture costs were $58.78 per cow-calf pair
and $14.13 per acre on crested wheatgrass pasture.
The native range period
of the 4.0-month deferred treatment was 122 days. Cow weight gain was 0.32 lbs
per day and 4.40 lbs per acre; accumulated weight gain was 39.04 lbs. Calf weight
gain was 1.80 lbs per day and 24.73 lbs per acre; accumulated weight gain was
219.60 lbs. Each cow-calf pair was allotted 8.88 acres, at a cost of $8.76 per
acre. Total feed cost was $77.79, or $0.64 per day, during the late-season lactation
period. The cost of calf weight gain was $0.35 per pound. When calf accumulated
weight was assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the gross return was
$153.72 per calf, and the net returns after pasture costs were $75.93 per cow-calf
pair and $8.55 per acre on native range.
Lactating cows that grazed
on the 4.0-month deferred strategy for 30 days between mid October and mid November
lost 0.74 pounds per day and lost 9.96 pounds per acre. Calf weight gain was
0.77 pounds per day and 10.36 pounds per acre; accumulated weight gain was 23.10
pounds. Each cow-calf pair was allotted 2.22 acres per month, at a cost of $0.65
per day, or $19.53 per month. When calf accumulated weight was assumed to have
a value of $0.70/lb, the gross return was $16.77 per calf, and the net returns
after pasture costs were a loss of $3.36 per cow-calf pair and a loss of $1.51
per acre. Each accumulated pound of calf weight cost $0.85 on the 4.0-month
deferred management strategy during mid October to mid November.
The combined pasture types
for the 4.0-month deferred strategy yielded an accumulated cow weight gain of
108.20 lbs and an accumulated calf weight gain of 355.64 lbs on 13.04 acres
in 198 days, at a cost of $114.23 per cow-calf pair. When calf accumulated weight
was assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the net returns after pasture
costs were $134.72 per cow-calf pair and $10.33 per acre for all portions of
the grazing season. Grazing for 6.5 months on the 4.0-month deferred strategy,
a lactating cow and her calf used 2.01 acres per month, at a cost of $0.58 per
day, or $17.31 per month. Each accumulated pound of calf weight cost $0.32 on
the pastures of the 4.0-month deferred strategy.
Total feed costs for the
4.0-month deferred management strategy were $220.14 for a 12-month production
period. Calf weaning weight was 536.14 pounds. When calf weaning weight was
assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the gross return was $375.30 per
calf, and the net returns after 12-month pasture-forage costs were $155.16 per
cow-calf pair and $6.93 per acre. Each pound of calf weaning weight cost $0.41
for the 12-month production period.
4.5-month twice-over
rotation
Cows on the 4.5-month twice-over
rotation management strategy were fed early cut forage barley hay for 32 days,
during the dry gestation production period. Forage barley hay cut early, at
the milk stage, has a crude protein content of 13.0%. This forage barley hay
had production costs of $68.21 per acre, forage dry matter costs of $28.80 per
ton, and crude protein costs of $0.11 per pound. Early cut forage barley hay
would be fed at 11.5 lbs DM/day to provide 1.5 lbs CP/day. An additional 12.5
lbs of roughage per day, at a cost of $7.00 per period, would need to be provided.
Production of early cut forage barley hay to feed a cow during the dry gestation
production period required 0.07 acres per month and cost $0.16 per day, $4.80
per month, or $5.12 per period. Total feed cost was $12.12, or $0.38 per day,
during the dry gestation period.
Cows were fed early cut
forage barley hay during the third trimester production period. Forage barley
hay cut at the milk stage would be fed at 14.4 lbs DM/day to provide 1.9 lbs
CP/day. An additional 9.6 lbs of roughage per day, at a cost of $14.96 per period,
would need to be provided. Production of early cut forage barley hay to feed
a cow in the third trimester required 0.09 acres per month and cost $0.21 per
day, $6.30 per month, or $18.90 for the 90-day production period. Total feed
cost was $33.86, or $0.38 per day, during the third trimester period. The calves
were born in mid March, at an average weight of 95 pounds. The cost per pound
of calf birth weight was $0.36.
Cows were fed a dry lot
ration of early cut forage barley hay during the early lactation production
period. Forage barley hay cut at the milk stage would be fed at 21.0 lbs DM/day
to provide 2.7 lbs CP/day. An additional 6.0 lbs of roughage per day, at a cost
of $4.73 per period, would need to be provided. Production of early cut forage
barley hay to feed a cow during early lactation required 0.13 acres per month
and cost $0.30 per day, $9.00 per month, or $13.50 per period. Total feed cost
was $18.23, or $0.41 per day, during the early lactation period. The cost of
calf weight gain was $0.21 per pound.
The spring crested wheatgrass
complementary pasture period was 31 days. Cow weight gain was 2.68 lbs per day
and 110.77 lbs per acre; accumulated weight gain was 83.08 lbs on 0.75 acres.
Calf weight gain was 2.18 lbs per day and 90.11 lbs per acre; accumulated weight
gain was 67.58 lbs on 0.75 acres. Each cow-calf pair was allotted 0.75 acres,
at a cost of $21.26 per acre. Total feed cost was $15.95, or $0.51 per day,
during the spring lactation period. The cost of calf weight gain was $0.24 per
pound. When calf accumulated weight was assumed to have a value of $0.70 per
pound, the gross return was $47.31 per calf, and the net returns after pasture
costs were $31.36 per cow-calf pair and $41.82 per acre on fertilized crested
wheatgrass pasture.
The native range period
of the 4.5-month twice-over rotation treatment was 137 days. Cow weight gain
was 0.62 lbs per day and 9.44 lbs per acre; accumulated weight gain was 84.94
lbs. Calf weight gain was 2.21 lbs per day and 33.64 lbs per acre; accumulated
weight gain was 302.77 lbs. Each cow-calf pair was allotted 9.00 acres, at a
cost of $8.76 per acre. Total feed cost was $78.84, or $0.58 per day, during
the summer lactation period. When calf accumulated weight was assumed to have
a value of $0.70 per pound, the gross return was $211.94 per calf, and the net
returns after pasture costs were $133.10 per cow-calf pair and $14.79 per acre
on native range.
Livestock grazed an Altai
wildrye complementary pasture during the fall lactation period. Lactating cows
that grazed Altai wildrye pastures for 30 days between mid October and mid November
gained 0.55 lbs per day and 11.87 lbs per acre; accumulated weight gain was
16.50 lbs. Calf weight gain was 1.73 lbs per day and 37.96 lbs per acre; accumulated
weight gain was 52.77 lbs. Each cow-calf pair was allotted 1.39 acres, at a
cost of $8.76 per acre. Total feed cost was $12.00, or $0.40 per day, during
the fall lactation period. The cost of calf weight gain was $0.23 per pound.
The combined pasture types
for the 4.5-month twice-over rotation strategy yielded an accumulated cow weight
gain of 184.52 lbs and an accumulated calf weight gain of 423.12 lbs on 11.14
acres in 198 days, at a cost of $106.97 per cow-calf pair. When calf accumulated
weight was assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the net returns after
pasture costs were $189.21 per cow-calf pair and $16.98 per acre for all pastures
of the grazing season. Grazing for 6.5 months on the 4.5-month twice-over rotation
strategy, a lactating cow and her calf used 1.72 acres per month, at a cost
of $0.54 per day, or $16.21 per month. Each accumulated pound of calf weight
cost $0.25 on the pastures of the 4.5-month twice-over rotation strategy.
Total feed costs for the
4.5-month twice-over rotation management strategy were $171.00 for a 12-month
production period. Calf weaning weight was 603.62 pounds. When calf weaning
weight was assumed to have a value of $0.70 per pound, the gross return was
$422.53 per calf, and the net returns after 12-month pasture-forage costs were
$251.53 per cow-calf pair and $21.54 per acre. Each pound of calf weaning weight
cost $0.28 for the 12-month production period.
This study evaluated and
compared the pasture and harvested-forage costs for the dry gestation, third
trimester, early lactation, spring lactation, summer lactation, and fall lactation
production periods and the total 12-month pasture-forage costs for five 12-month
management strategies. One management strategy was developed from native range
herbage biomass data as a 12-month grazing system on native range pastures,
with none of the feed provided as harvested forage. Three of the management
strategies followed traditional practices, with typical variations of mature
crested wheatgrass hay, crested wheatgrass pasture, native range pasture, and
cropland aftermath pasture. One management strategy was the twice-over rotation
system with complementary spring and fall pastures; developed specifically for
the Northern Plains, this management strategy was designed to meet the biological
requirements of the plants, facilitate the functioning of ecological processes,
and counterbalance problematic biological conditions inherent in the grassland
ecosystems so that cow and calf weight performance, grass plant performance,
and wildlife habitat are improved over those produced on traditional management
practices.
The management strategy
with 12 months of grazing on native range pastures and no harvested-forage feed
had the highest costs during all production periods, in all cost categories
except production costs per acre. These high costs resulted in negative net
returns after pasture costs when calves were sold at $0.70 per pound.
The three management strategies
with traditional practices had similar calf performance and calf weaning weights.
All three traditional management strategies had positive net returns after pasture
and forage costs, per cow-calf pair ($47.37 to $155.16) and per acre ($1.74
to $6.93), when calves were sold at $0.70 per pound. These three management
strategies, however, did not have very high profit margins.
The twice-over rotation
management strategy with three-pasture native range rotation system, spring
and fall domesticated grass complementary pastures, and early cut annual cereal
hay as the harvested-forage feed had the lowest land area per month; the lowest
land area per 12-month period; the lowest forage feed cost during dry gestation,
third trimester, early lactation, spring lactation, summer lactation, and fall
lactation production periods; the lowest total 12-month feed cost; and the lowest
crude protein supplementation costs. The twice-over rotation management strategy
also had the lowest cost per pound of calf birth weight ($0.36), the lowest
cost per pound of calf accumulated weight ($0.25), and the lowest cost per pound
of calf weaning weight ($0.28). The twice-over rotation management strategy
had the highest net returns after pasture and forage costs, per cow-calf pair
($251.53) and per acre ($21.54), when calves were sold at $0.70 per pound.
The individual cow data
presented for 12-month management strategies were projected to a herd of 300
cows (table 10) and to a production land base of 5,000 acres
(table 11). The net returns after pasture and forage costs
from the management strategies with 300 cows ranged from -$29,424 to $75,459
per year. The net returns after pasture and forage costs from the management
strategies with 5,000 production acres ranged from -$9,808 to $107,655 per year.
The cow genetics and the land production capabilities were assumed to be the
same across all treatments. The differences in the net returns result from the
differences in the biological effectiveness and the nutrient capture and conversion
efficiency of the various management strategies.
The levels of biological
effectiveness and of nutrient capture and conversion efficiency among the 12-month
management strategies are highly variable. A management strategy that improves
biological effectiveness meets the biological requirements of the plants, facilitates
the functioning of ecological processes at potential levels, and counterbalances
problematic biological conditions inherent in the grassland ecosystem. Biologically
effective management practices produce the most biological advantages and the
fewest biological disadvantages.
A management strategy that
improves the efficiency of nutrient capture and conversion increases the quantity
of herbage and nutrients produced on a land base and effectively captures a
high proportion of the produced nutrients by combining pasture and forage types
so that the herbage production curves and nutritional quality curves are coordinated
with the 12-month dietary quantity and quality requirement curves of cow production
periods. Efficient conversion of nutrients into a saleable product can be performed
by modern high-performance livestock when nutrients are available for consumption
at the times and in the amounts that the livestock require during each production
period.
The availability of crude
protein to livestock at the required times and in the required amounts was different
on the various management strategies. The crude protein content of pasture-forage
feed provided to cows was below livestock requirements for 273 days on the 12-month
repeated seasonal, 196 days on the 6.0-month seasonlong and 4.5-month seasonlong,
259 days on the 4.0-month deferred, and 15 days, some years, on the 4.5-month
twice-over rotation management strategies. Supplemental crude protein was made
available to the cows for 197 days on the 12-month repeated seasonal and for
90 days on the 6.0-month seasonlong, 4.5-month seasonlong, and 4.0-month deferred
management strategies. Crude protein was deficient in the livestock feed for
76 days on the 12-month repeated seasonal, 106 days on the 6.0-month seasonlong
and 4.5-month seasonlong, and 169 days on the 4.0-month deferred management
strategies.
The weight production performance
levels of the cows and calves on these four traditional management strategies
were below the genetic capabilities of the animals because amounts of nutrients
were deficient in the feed during long portions of the 12-month production cycle.
Modern high-performance cattle have reduced levels of production efficiency
when their diet is deficient in nutrients. Long periods with nutrient deficiency
caused from feeds provided result in calves with weaning weights below potential
and in high annual expenses for cow maintenance.
Crude protein supplementation
was not required on the twice-over rotation management strategy because grazing
periods on crested wheatgrass, native rangeland, and Altai wildrye pastures
were coordinated so that the nutritional quality of the various forage types
and the nutritional requirements of the livestock matched over the entire grazing
season; this coordination of nutrient supply and demand improved the individual
animal performance.
Unfertilized crested wheatgrass
pastures have adequate crude protein levels for lactating cows during May and
most of June. Fertilized crested wheatgrass pastures have adequate crude protein
during May and the early portion of June.
The native range forage
on the twice-over rotation management strategy was not deficient in crude protein
during the period from early August until the end of the grazing season, unlike
the forage on the traditional management strategies. The grazing periods on
the twice-over rotation system are coordinated with grass growth stages, and
a small amount of leaf material is removed between the third-leaf stage and
the flowering stage. This timed defoliation activates secondary tiller development
from axillary buds, activates plant physiological mechanisms, and stimulates
rhizosphere organism activity that increases nutrient flow and plant growth
(Manske 1999 c): the result is increased plant basal cover, increased aboveground
herbage biomass, and improved nutritional quality of herbage. The increases
in herbage quantity and quality permit increased stocking rates, reduced acreage
required to carry a cow-calf pair for the season, and increased total accumulated
weight gain.
Manipulation of secondary
tiller growth of grasses on the native range pastures of the twice-over system
improves livestock performance for two to two and a half months, until late
September or mid October, but the biology of native grass plants does not permit
extending this improved performance longer. Nutritional quality of native range
herbage is below the requirements of lactating cows after mid October, and grazing
animals must be moved to an alternative forage source if their nutritional requirements
are to be met.
Perennial grass forages
that meet the nutritional requirements of lactating cows after mid October include
Altai and Russian wildryes. The wildryes are excellent fall pastures because
they retain nutrient quality in the aboveground portions of the plant until
about mid November, much later than do other types of perennial grasses, in
which translocation of aboveground cell components and the resulting decreases
in crude protein levels occur relatively early during the grazing season.
Annual cereal hay was fed
to the cows on the twice-over rotation management strategy for 167 days, or
5.5 months. This harvested forage had the highest production costs per acre
of all the forage types but had the lowest feed costs per day and per production
period. Harvested forages are usually viewed as expensive feeds because the
production costs per acre are higher than pasture rent per acre and a high percentage
of the costs are labor and equipment expenses.
The annual cereal hay used
as harvested feed on the twice-over rotation management strategy was forage
barley cut at the milk stage. It was cut at an early plant growth stage so that
the maximum quantity of crude protein would be captured per acre. This harvest
time resulted in the lowest cost per unit of nutrient possible and the lowest
feed cost possible for that forage type. The growth pattern of forage plants
does not produce the greatest amount of crude protein and the greatest amount
of dry matter at the same time. Planning the harvest time to capture the greatest
amount of dry matter results in harvest of forage with the lowest cost per unit
of dry matter but would not result in harvest of the forage with the lowest
feed costs. Forage barley hay cut at the milk stage captured around 600 pounds
of crude protein per acre, at a cost of $0.11 per pound of crude protein. At
a forage feed cost that ranged between $0.16 and $0.30 per day, forage barley
hay was the lowest-cost feed. Early cut forage barley has greater crude protein
content than the amount required by cows. High-quality forage barley hay would
not be fed alone, but would be supplemented with some amount of low-cost roughage.
The feed costs for forages that are harvested to yield the greatest amount of
crude protein and supplemented with roughage are lower than the feed costs for
forages that are harvested to yield the greatest amount of dry matter and supplemented
with crude protein.
The 4.5-month twice-over
rotation management strategy is the most biologically effective and nutrient-efficient
management strategy. Cows on this management strategy produced 603.62 pounds
of calf on 11.68 acres, at a total 12-month feed cost of $171.00, or at a cost
of $0.28 per pound of calf weaning weight, with a net return after pasture and
forage costs of $251.53 per cow-calf pair and $21.54 per acre.
Discussion
The pasture and harvested-forage
costs evaluated during this study were pasture or land rent values per acre;
production costs per acre; costs per unit of dry matter; costs per unit of nutrient
(crude protein); land area per animal unit; forage feed costs per
day, per month, or per production period; and costs per pound of calf weight
gain.
Pasture and land rent values
ranged from $2.00 to $22.07 per acre. Production costs ranged from $2.00 to
$68.21 per acre. Cost of forage dry matter ranged from $27.04 to $140.16 per
ton. These three costs are important, but none of them should be the sole criterion
on which management decisions are based. Production costs per acre and pasture
or land rent per acre do not accurately reflect livestock production costs because
forage dry matter weight per acre and nutrient weight per acre captured through
grazing or haying vary with forage type and plant growth stage and the variations
are not proportional to production costs or land rent values per acre. Forage
dry matter costs per unit of weight do not accurately reflect livestock production
costs because of the variable quantity of nutrients contained within the dry
matter and the resulting differences in the amount of dry matter needed to provide
adequate quantities of nutrients for livestock.
Cost per unit of nutrient
is an important indicator of livestock production costs. Nutrient cost per unit
of weight is related to the forage dry matter costs and the quantity of nutrients
per unit of forage weight. The costs per unit of nutrient (crude protein) ranged
from $0.11 to $1.26 per pound. A 1200-pound cow with a calf born in March requires
837 pounds of crude protein for a 12-month period. The cost per pound of crude
protein directly affects the total production costs for that cow.
The size and the cost of
the land area required to provide adequate forage dry matter and nutrients for
a cow contribute substantially to total production costs. The size of the land
area ranged from 11.68 acres to 49.58 acres per animal unit for a 12-month period.
The costs of the land area ranged from $118.88 to $434.33 per animal unit for
a 12-month period. The land area cost, which includes the costs of dry matter
and nutrients, constitutes from 69.5% to 92.3% of the total pasture-forage production
costs for a cow. These costs are affected by the efficiency of nutrient capture.
The greater the quantity of the produced nutrients captured from a land base,
the smaller the land area required by an animal unit and the lower the production
costs. The quantities of dry matter and nutrients produced per unit of land
are affected by the health status of a grassland ecosystem. The implementation
of a management strategy that improves the health performance levels of a grassland
ecosystem and the efficiency of nutrient capture and conversion will increase
the quantity of herbage and nutrients produced and the quantity of nutrients
captured and converted, and will, therefore, help to reduce livestock production
costs.
Forage feed cost is an
important indicator of livestock production costs. Forage feed costs include
production costs per acre, cost or weight of harvested or consumed dry matter,
and cost or weight of harvested or consumed crude protein. Forage feed costs
ranged from $144.31 to $433.78 per animal unit for a 12-month period and from
$0.40 to $1.19 per day. Forage feed costs are the combined costs for livestock
feed that is produced from the 12-month land base assigned to each animal-production
unit. During periods in which the quantity or quality of this produced feed
falls below the quantity or quality of the feed required by livestock, additional
nutrients or dry matter from other sources need to be supplemented. The costs
of supplemented nutrients or dry matter plus the forage feed costs are the total
feed costs for an animal unit for a 12-month period. The total feed costs ranged
from $171.00 to $470.76 per animal unit for a 12-month period and from $0.47
to $1.29 per day.
Cost per pound of calf
weight is an important diagnostic value for the evaluation of livestock production
costs and pasture-forage management strategies. The cost per pound of calf weight
is the culmination of a management strategy's positive and negative effects
on grass plant and livestock performance. Cost per pound of calf weight is the
combined rent costs, production costs, dry matter costs, nutrient costs, land
area costs, forage feed costs, supplementation costs, and the effects the management
strategy's biological effectiveness and nutrient capture and conversion efficiency
have on all pasture and forage costs. The management strategy that is the most
biologically effective and that captures and converts nutrients most efficiently
will have the lowest cost per pound of calf weight; the twice-over rotation
management strategy has the lowest cost per pound of calf birth weight, accumulated
weight, and weaning weight.
Conclusion
The profit margin of the
beef production industry in the Northern Plains is low because the economic
value for pounds of calf weight at market is close to the cost of producing
the pounds of calf weight. Pasture and harvested-forage costs are the major
portion of livestock production costs. The pasture-forage costs of traditional
management practices and alternative management practices must be understood
and the factors that contribute to high beef-production costs need to be identified
in order for livestock production costs to be effectively reduced.
Evaluation of the pasture
and forage costs of 12-month management strategies has shown that these costs
are largely determined by the biological effectiveness and nutrient capture
and conversion efficiency of the management strategy. Reduction of pasture and
forage costs requires improvement of the biological effectiveness and the nutrient
capture and conversion efficiency of management strategies. These biological
and nutritional aspects of 12-month pasture-forage management strategies can
be increased through the improvement of four factors.
The 12-month pasture-forage management strategy that has great biological effectiveness, efficient nutrient capture, efficient nutrient conversion, and an efficient pasture-forage-livestock system will have lower production costs per pound of calf weight and higher profit margins.
Beef production is the
last meat industry to improve the efficiency of feed management systems. The
traditional pasture-forage management strategies used in the Northern Plains
were developed during the era of low-performance livestock. During the past
several decades the type of livestock in the region has shifted to a fast-growing,
high-performance animal, but pasture-forage management strategies have not been
adjusted to provide nutrients at the times and in the amounts required by high-performance
animals and to take full advantage of the livestock's genetic potential. Traditional
management practices do not efficiently provide adequate feed for high-performance
livestock to produce high profit margins. Beef production profit margins will
remain small or decrease unless improved efficient 12-month pasture-forage management
strategies are implemented.
Acknowledgment
I am grateful to Amy M. Kraus for assistance in the preparation of this manuscript. I am grateful to Sheri Schneider for assistance in production of this manuscript and for development of the tables.
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W.C. Whitman. 1988. Vegetation of the Northern Great Plains. Rangelands
10:266-272.
Manske, L.L. 1999a.
Annual nutritional quality curves for native range cool season grasses.
NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center. Range Management Report DREC 99-1026.
Dickinson, ND. 16p.
Manske, L.L. 1999b.
Annual nutritional quality curves for native range warm season grasses.
NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center. Range Management Report DREC 99-1027.
Dickinson, ND. 13p.
Manske, L.L. 1999c.
Can native prairie be sustained under livestock grazing? p. 99-108.
in J. Thorpe, T.A. Steeves, and M. Gollop (eds.). Proceedings of the fifth Prairie
Conservation and Endangered Species Conference. Provincial Museum of Alberta.
Natural History Occasional Paper No. 24. Edmonton, Alberta.
Manske, L.L., and
P.M. Carr. 2000. Determination of costs of harvested forage types
to help reduce beef production costs. NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center.
Range Research Report DREC 00-1029. Dickinson, ND. 18p.
National Research
Council. 1996. Nutrient requirements of beef cattle. 7th rev. ed. National
Academy Press, Washington, DC.
Whitman, W.C.,
D.W. Bolin, E.W. Klosterman, H.J. Klostermann, K.D. Ford, L. Moomaw, D.G. Hoag,
and M.L. Buchanan. 1951. Carotene, protein, and phosphorus in range
and tame grasses of western North Dakota. North Dakota Agricultural Experiment
Station. Bulletin 370. Fargo, ND. 55p.
Tables
and Graphs
