Valuing preg-checked heifers

摘要

Profits per cow grew in 2010 and preliminary data suggest profits per cowwere up again in 2011.1 project even higher profits for the next few years, all of which should trigger an expansion in the nation's cow herd, right? While drought in the Southern ffPltains is currently inhibiting a full-blown national herd expansion, in-dications are that expansion may be underway outside the drought region. In fact, my numbers suggest that 2011 profits in the Northern Plains were over $160/cow - up from S113/cow in 2010. And, I project prof-its per cow to continue to be high for the next four years (Figure 1). So, let's look at what this favorable outlook suggests for heifer develop-ment, and determine the economic value of a 2011 preg-checked heifer.