Simulating Beef Cattle Herd Productivity with Varying Cow Liveweight and Fixed Feed Supply
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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/1/35 |
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| author | Lydia J. Farrell Stephen T. Morris Paul R. Kenyon Peter R. Tozer |
| author_facet | Lydia J. Farrell Stephen T. Morris Paul R. Kenyon Peter R. Tozer |
| author_sort | Lydia J. Farrell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:54:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-402674c4644942b7b9f36f8517bcbcd7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:54:07Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj.art-402674c4644942b7b9f36f8517bcbcd72023-12-03T12:15:01ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722021-01-011113510.3390/agriculture11010035Simulating Beef Cattle Herd Productivity with Varying Cow Liveweight and Fixed Feed SupplyLydia J. Farrell0Stephen T. Morris1Paul R. Kenyon2Peter R. Tozer3Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Mellows Campus, Athenry, H65 R718 Co. Galway, IrelandSchool of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New ZealandSchool of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New ZealandSchool of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New ZealandThe 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/1/35herd dynamicsherd sizeprofitbio-economicsystem dynamicsNew Zealand |
| spellingShingle | Lydia J. Farrell Stephen T. Morris Paul R. Kenyon Peter R. Tozer Simulating Beef Cattle Herd Productivity with Varying Cow Liveweight and Fixed Feed Supply Agriculture herd dynamics herd size profit bio-economic system dynamics New Zealand |
| title | Simulating Beef Cattle Herd Productivity with Varying Cow Liveweight and Fixed Feed Supply |
| title_full | Simulating Beef Cattle Herd Productivity with Varying Cow Liveweight and Fixed Feed Supply |
| title_fullStr | Simulating Beef Cattle Herd Productivity with Varying Cow Liveweight and Fixed Feed Supply |
| title_full_unstemmed | Simulating Beef Cattle Herd Productivity with Varying Cow Liveweight and Fixed Feed Supply |
| title_short | Simulating Beef Cattle Herd Productivity with Varying Cow Liveweight and Fixed Feed Supply |
| title_sort | simulating beef cattle herd productivity with varying cow liveweight and fixed feed supply |
| topic | herd dynamics herd size profit bio-economic system dynamics New Zealand |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/1/35 |
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