Nine-Cow Comparison
Given your feed resources and costs, see how different cow sizes and milk levels impact carrying capacity, production, and profit.
Getting started: Enter your current herd information on the left, then use the other tabs to update your feed costs, calf prices, variable costs, fixed costs, and cow depreciation. The more closely these inputs match your operation, the more useful the comparison will be.
1,200 lb cow · 20 lb peak milk
Selected Cow Nutrient Requirements
Requirement vs. Feed Analysis
Feed values and requirements are compared on a dry matter basis. A positive margin means the selected feed is above the cow's peak-lactation requirement; a negative margin indicates a nutrient shortfall.
Selected Scenario Economics
Steer Calf Weight at 7 Months
The selected cow's weaning weight comes directly from the original Excel 3×3 table. Calf pre-weaning DMI is then calculated as weaning weight × 2.3625, matching the workbook.
| Mature cow | 10 lb milk | 20 lb milk | 30 lb milk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 lb | 455 lb | 518 lb | 568 lb |
| 1,200 lb | 503 lb | 557 lb | 613 lb |
| 1,400 lb | 535 lb | 597 lb | 649 lb |
Variable Costs
Costs here are $/cow/year and change as supported cow numbers change.
Whole-Operation Fixed Costs
These costs stay the same across every scenario. Land/lease is handled with the feed resource.
Cow Depreciation
Replacement cost changes by mature cow size; cull value is mature weight × cull price.
| Mature cow | Replacement cost | Cull value | Annual depreciation / cow |
|---|
Formula: (replacement cost − cull value) ÷ useful life.
Feed & Ration
Build the annual feed resource from pasture and purchased feeds. Both ration columns should total 100%.
| Feed source | $/ton DM | % cow ration | % calf ration |
|---|
Calculated from the current herd's Excel-model DMI requirements, weaning rate, feed prices, and ration percentages. The current herd establishes the fixed physical feed resource (tons of dry matter). That same DM resource is used for all nine cow scenarios; feed expense is recalculated for each scenario from its cow-versus-calf feed use.
Peak Lactation Feed Analysis
Select one of the feed sources above as the feed to evaluate at peak lactation, then enter its core dry-matter-basis feed analysis.
This analysis is used as a nutritional diagnostic on the Comparison tab. It does not change carrying capacity, feed cost, or profit calculations.
Calf Market Prices
Prices use discrete 50-lb weight classes with no interpolation.
| Weight class | Price $/lb |
|---|
Example: a 527-lb calf receives the 500–549 lb price.