The Angus Journal is a monthly magazine known for in-depth coverage of American Angus Association programs and services; the Angus business; herd management techniques; and advertising reflecting genetics herd philosophies.
Issue link: http://angusjournal.epubxp.com/i/435083
December 2014 n ANGUSJournal n 143 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4 n A N G U S J o u r n a l n 1 4 3 1 4 3 1 4 3 Vince Santini, Owner • Cell (931) 242-1843 1198 N Locust Ave • Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 Farm (931) 853-6537 • Fax (931) 766-9872 Office (931) 766-9871 E-mail: vince.santini@shadybrookangus.com www.shadybrookangusfarm.com Quintin Smith Family Quintin and Vicki Smith 5171 Cainsville Rd. • Lebanon, TN 37090 Cell (615) 207-0830 • (615) 444-8701 quintinsmithfamilyangus@gmail.com www.quintinsmithfamilyangus.com Tennessee Breeders Be a part of the Tennessee Breeders' Page Contact Alex Tolbert 706-338-8733 • atolbert@angus.org or Karri Mildenberger • (816) 383-5289 kmildenberger@angusjournal.com Claybrook Farms Owners: Fred & Rinda Clark • Kim Clark Gen. Manager: Jonathan Perry – 931-703-6330 Commercial Bull Sales: Jimmy Jennings – 931-993-6817 Show & Sale Cattle Mgr: Spencer Shout – 931-625-2132 Agricultural Manager: Jeff Coble 11 Fred Clark Lane – Fayetteville, TN 37334 Offce 931-433-1895 • Fax 931-433-0730 email: Jonathan: jjperry@DeerValleyFarm.com www.DeerValleyFarm.com 845 Antioch Hwy. 51 Road Covington, TN 38019 email: claybrook1@aol.com www.claybrookangus.com Dave Turner • 901-355-5232 Carl Turner • 901-486-3937 the herd, it would calculate to about another 5 lb. in average weaning weight. If annual cow costs are $893, percent calf crop weaned is 90% and weaning weight is 582 lb., breakeven calculates at $1.70 per lb. Breakeven price in this scenario began at $1.92 per lb. By monitoring body condition of spring-calving cows, breakeven was reduced by 22¢ per lb. Annual costs were slightly increased, but proft potential of the cow-calf enterprise increased. Is this realistic? In the calculations above, annual cow costs increase because of strategic supplementation, but there were no changes in genetics, time of calving, or time of weaning. Final thoughts Managing body condition of the cow herd relates to managing the nutrition program. Reproductive performance of spring-calving cows is affected by body condition at calving. The ideas discussed above can impact the amount of revenue generated in the cow- calf enterprise. Breakeven was decreased by not changing weaning time, calving time or genetics; it was changed by paying attention to timely management techniques. Even in the good times we are experiencing in the cow-calf sector, paying attention to detail and initiating management strategies in a timely manner is paramount. Even in today's economic environment, it's not only implementing the management plan, but calculating how that management strategy affects either cow costs or revenue. 98 n ANGUSJournal n January 2015 z RIDIN' HERD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 96 EMAIL: rrasby@unlnotes.unl.edu Editor's Note: Rick Rasby is a beef specialist with the University of Nebraska.