An Economic Analysis of Retention of Yearlings on Range and Potential Effects on Beef Production

Abstract

Optimum range livestock marketing schemes were developed for two typical Utah ranch sizes (150 and 300 head of brood cows) using linear programming analysis. based on average Utah cattle prices for 1970-75, the range livestock management alternative which maximized net ranch income for both ranch sizes was to reduce the cow herd 25% and use the released feed to retain all steer calves for sale as yearlings. optimum disposition of heifer calves was sale at weaning time. the reduction in breeding herd to accommodate retained yearlings would decrease the number of feeder livestock marketed. potential decreases in U.S. beef production from 1 to 4% were estimated if 25 to 100% of the ranches in the 11 western states adopted the optimum management alternative. these reductions would result in an increase in United States wholesale beef prices of 1 to 6%.