Although your cattle operation year does not end on Dec. 31 like the calendar year, maybe the calendar year-end is a good time to evaluate your cattle operation. This type of evaluation done periodically would aim to look at the big picture without focusing on the day-to-day tasks.
Some critical questions to ask might include: How is overall performance? Are we using resources most efficiently? Are there any needed improvements? How do I make those improvements and what are the priorities?
Evaluating performance might include profitably, rate of gain, feed efficiency, calving rate, manure management or many others. Producers are encouraged to look at them individually but also on how these performance indicators impact the entire operation.
Most of these performance indicators rely on data like weights, dates, and number of head to provide something to evaluate. If the data is not available, you likely need to determine what information you need to record and store as change No. 1.
With data available, careful analysis and comparing to past performance and industry standards would be the next step. If performance is not improving over time or even declining, assess why that is occurring and what needs to change.
Evaluating change to positively impact performance could include anything from facilities, nutrition, genetics, animal handling, employee management, risk management, health management, marketing methods or many other parts of the operation. It could be about expanding numbers of livestock or trying a different type of production system. These might be small tactical type of change or a strategical change. In most cases, making those changes has some kind of cost so trying to analyze if that cost will pay for itself is the hard part.
Determining what to improve or change and the benefits to the operation is a key part of management. What works for one operation may not be the right thing for another. In some instances, there is good research that can help decide the value of a change. When research is not available, finding reputable opinions in the industry is likely the next best step. After a change is made, evaluating its effectiveness is just as important as making the decision in the first place.
The process of assessing performance and prioritizing any potential improvements can be influenced by many factors. Cost and financial condition of the business, weather, age of the operator, and current state of the industry need to be considered.
Producers who need assistance in assessing their cattle operation and making decisions about any potential changes may contact their state extension beef specialists for one-on-one assistance or access to tools to help you evaluate your situation. —Russ Euken, Iowa State University Extension beef specialist
