Released June 28, 2007
DICKINSON, N.D. - An interesting piece of data was published on the North Dakota Farm and Ranch Business Management program Web site (http://www.ndfarmmanagement.com) about net return per cow. Using averages since 2000, the industry and cow-calf producers have done quite well.
The net return per cow for North Dakota cow-calf producers was $123.60 in 2000, $93.16 in 2001, $64.87 in 2002, $106.54 in 2003, $190.01 in 2004, $217.50 in 2005 and $103.86 in 2006. The industry and cow-calf producers have seen some profitable dollars in their respective enterprises, allowing cow-calf producers flexibility in the future.
What is the difference in net return per cow for the lowest 20 percent versus the highest 20 percent of cow-calf producers?
The spread in net return per cow between the lowest 20 percent and the highest 20 percent was $211.74 in 2000, $243.11 in 2001, $210.94 in 2002, $243.98 in 2003, $264.44 in 2004, $257.42 in 2005 and $232.23 in 2006.
In this century, cow-calf producers have averaged $128.51 net return for seven years. The difference between the lowest 20 percent and highest 20 percent has averaged $237.69 during those same seven years. Jerry Tuhy, Dickinson Farm Business Management instructor, and I reviewed the numbers. Tuhy noted that based on an average herd size of 150 cows, showed a producer would have had $134,935.50 to apply to other activities besides taking care of the cows.
Even more astounding and certainly worth pondering is that the upper 20 percent of the herds had $249,574.50 more income than the lower 20 percent since the year 2000. As Tuhy noted, producers who get it right and stay in the cattle business for 35 years appear to have $1,247,872.50 more money for their operation than those who don't.
It is amazing that some still wonder why they need to think outside the box and spend time learning, implementing and evaluating processes within their operation. The answer is simple. Good management and attention to detail, based on the average herd size of 150, was worth $1,247,872.50 from 2000 through 2006.
So, keep thinking and, above all, challenge yourself to set good goals and then meet those goals so you can enjoy and contribute to the well-being of those around you.
Your comments are always welcome at http://www.BeefTalk.com. For more information, contact the NDBCIA Office, 1041 State Ave., Dickinson, ND 58601 or go to http://www.CHAPS2000.COM on the Internet.
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http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/news/columns/beeftalk/beeftalk-attention-to-details-is-worth-1-247-872.50
Contacts: Kris Ringwall, (701) 483-2348, ext. 103, kringwal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.edu
