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Production

How do your overhead costs compare? Your economic returns? What is the future outlook for the labour supply? Find out more about the economics of cattle farming.

Investment Risk

Feedlot Investment Risk Simulation Tool (FIR$T)
Alberta Agriculture and Food
The Feedlot Investment Risk Simulation Tool (FIR$T) "analyzes cattle feeding investments. It uses advanced computer simulation techniques to add powerful risk assessment capabilities to traditional break-even and cost of gain calculations."

A Producer's Guide to Risk Management and Due Diligence
Centre for Studies in Agriculture, Law and the Environment, University of Saskatchewan
This guide provides an overview of the common risks producers face and identifies ways of managing and coping with these risks. "It deals with legal risk and the costs that arise outside the operation of the law." (PDF)

Cost of Production

Cowherd Yardage Costs: How Do Yours Compare?
Tim Highmoor, Western Beef Development Center, University of Saskathewan
A report examining cowherd yardage costs in Saskatchewan over several years. (PDF)

Feedlot Yardage Costs: How Do Yours Compare?
Tim Highmoor, Western Beef Development Center, University of Saskatchewan
An analysis of feedlot yardage costs for Saskatchewan farms from 2002 to 2004. (PDF)

Overhead Costs of Cattle Production in Saskatchewan
Tim Highmoor, Western Beef Development Center, University of Saskatchewan
What are the overhead costs of feeding one mature, 1000-pound cow for one month in Saskatchewan? Find out here. (PDF)

Economics of Feedlot Finishing
Tim Highmoor, Western Beef Development Center, University of Saskatchewan
The recent economic returns of five Saskatchewan feedlot finishers are examined in this study. (PDF)

Economics of Backgrounding
Tim Highmoor, Western Beef Development Center, University of Saskatchewan
An analysis of the economic returns of backgrounders from across Saskatchewan. (PDF)

Cow-calf Cost of Production Analysis
Kathy Lang, Western Beef Development Center, University of Saskatchewan
A summarized analysis of the costs and returns of production for Saskatchewan cow-calf operations from 2001-2005. (PDF) For an indepth analysis of production costs for 2005 only, click here.

Converting Grain to Grass: How Profitable is it?
Kathy Lang, Western Beef Development Center, University of Saskatchewan
Low commodity prices are making the conversion of marginal land into pasture look like a promising alternative. This study explores the costs and benefits of such a move by comparing the revenues and expenses of one Saskatchewan farmer's operation after conversion. (PDF)

Hedging of Livestock

Hedging: General
John D. Lawrence, Extension Livestock Economist, Iowa State University
A primer on hedging, a marketing tool that helps protect producers against adverse price changes.

Short Hedging
Joe Parcell and Vern Pierce, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Missouri
How to place output (short) hedges in the futures market and reduce the risk associated with plummeting prices.