Premium
Optimal Replacement and Management Policies for Beef Cows
Author(s) -
Frasier W. Marshall,
Pfeiffer George H.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
american journal of agricultural economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.949
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1467-8276
pISSN - 0002-9092
DOI - 10.2307/1243746
Subject(s) - culling , agricultural science , beef cattle , herd , productivity , cow calf , business , operations management , zoology , economics , environmental science , biology , macroeconomics
Beef cow replacement studies have not reflected the interaction between herd management and the culling decision. We demonstrate techniques for modeling optimal beef cow replacement intervals and discrete management policies by incorporating the dynamic effects of management on future productivity when biological response is uncertain. Markovian decision analysis is used to identify optimal beef cow management on a ranch typical of the Sandhills region of Nebraska. Issues of breeding season length, winter nutrition, and replacement are investigated. Results illustrate the importance of nutrition management in the replacement decision.