KNOW YOUR ASSETS: Cows often hold a sentimental place in a farmer’s heart. Taking time to study each cow on what they bring to the beef business may determine if they are profit-makers or keepers. Business Basics: Beef #herd managers need to know their cow performance and profitability. Do you have a favorite cow or two or three? Maybe she greets you each morning and waits to be scratched behind the ears. Maybe she looks picture perfect like she just stepped off a glossy magazine cover, or consistently raises the biggest calf each year. Maybe it’s sentimental. My favorite is my daughter’s very first bucket calf she showed at the county fair. I’ll bet if we are honest, we all have a few favorite cows. But which cows in your herd are the most profitable? Can you identify them? Years ago, while visiting one of my local dairies, the producer commented how his “anonymous cows” were the key to the operation. For instance, his father asked, “Who is cow 215?” After thinking about it, he responded, “I don’t really know. I know she’s not one of our top producers, but looking back at the records, I can’t see where […]
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