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Cow-Calf Breakeven Calculator

Herd Size and Value
  No. Head  
Number of Breeding Cows Implied % Price of Breeding Cow ($/head)
Purchased Heifers Cost of Purchased Heifers ($/head)
Raised Heifer Replacements Exp. Sale Price for Raised Heifers ($/head)
Number of Cows Per Bull   Value of Bull ($/head)
Useful Life of Bull (years)   Salvage Value of Bull ($/head)
Value of Breeding Stock ($/cow)
Bulls
Cattle
 
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Herd Performance
  Low Expectation High
Weaning Percent (%)
Weaning Weight - Steers (lbs/head)
Weaning Weight - Heifers (lbs/head)
Weighted Average Weaning Weight (lbs/head)
Percent Weaned Steer Calves (%)  
Cull Cow Weight Implied %  
Expected Number of Cows to be Culled  
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Cattle Revenue
  Low Expectation High
Feeder Steer Weights (lbs.)
Expected Steer Market Price ($/lb)
Feeder Heifer Weights
Discount to Steers ($/cwt)
Expected Heifer Market Price ($/lb)
Weighted Average Price ($/lb)
Cull Cow Weight (lbs.)    
Expected Cull Cow Market Price ($/lb)    
Marketing/Selling Costs (%)    
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Ranch Revenue and Cost
Expected Revenue Total $/Cow
  Select Daily Cost/Hd No. of Head Lease Term (Days)  
Current Pasture/Residue Being Leased
  Select
Yes or N/A		  
Forage Production (Hay, Other)  
Other (Total $)  
Total Revenue  
Expected Costs Total $/Cow
  Total $  
Expected Land Costs (Fertilizer, Seed, etc)    
Other    
Total Costs    
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Pasture / Forage Costs
  Select What Percentage?  
Do you own the land? NOTE: This is part of opportunity cost, but not actual cash.
Current Lease arrangement or Potential Lease arrangement Total $ $/ Cow
  Select
Unit		 Yrly. Cost/Acre No. of Acres Lease Term (Days)  
Summer
  Select
Unit		 Yrly. Cost/Acre No. of Acres Lease Term (Days)  
Winter
  Select
Unit		 Yrly. Cost/Acre No. of Acres Lease Term (Days)  
Crop residue
Total Pasture Cost
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Forage/Feedstuff(Purchased or Raised)
  Lbs/Head/
Day		 Days Head Total Lbs. $/Ton Total $ $/ Cow
Cow - Dry Ration
Cow - Lactating Ration
Bull - Feed
Calf - Creep Feed
Energy Supplement
Protein Supplement
Herd Minerals/Salt Mix
Feed-Horses, Sick Animals, etc.
Heifer Retainment Feed Costs
Other/Misc.
Total Purchased Feed Cost
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Machinery & Equipment Cash Expenses
  Select Unit $/Month   Total $ $/ Cow
Tractor  
  Select Unit $/Month  
ATV  
  Select Unit $/Month  
Fence  
  Select Unit $/Month  
Horses  
  Select Unit $/Month  
Pickup  
  Select Unit $/Month  
Misc.  
  Select Unit $/Month  
Other Equipment  
Total machinery & equipment cost
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Animal health and Veterinary Services
  Select Unit Unit Cost No. Head Implied $/Head Total $ $/Cow
Cow - A.I. / Synchronization
  Select Unit Unit Cost No. Head Implied $/Head  
Breeding Heifer - A.I. / Synchronization
  Select Unit Unit Cost No. Head Implied $/Head  
Vaccines, Pour-on, etc
  Select Unit Unit Cost No. Head Implied $/Head  
Vet Work (Preg Check, Birthing, etc)
  Select Unit Unit Cost No. Head Implied $/Head  
Vet Supplies
  Select Unit Unit Cost No. Head Implied $/Head  
Misc.
Total Animal Health Cost
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Depreciation
  Select Yes or N/A   Total $ $/Cow
Current Total Investment in Facilities (Total $)
Expected Life (yrs.)    
Expected Salvage Value (as % if today)    
Depreciation    
Current Total Investment in Buildings
Expected Life (yrs.)    
Expected Salvage Value (as % if today)    
Depreciation    
Current Total Investment in Equipment(A)
Expected Life (yrs.)    
Expected Salvage Value (as % if today)    
Depreciation    
Current Total Investment in Equipment(B)
Expected Life (yrs.)    
Expected Salvage Value (as % if today)    
Depreciation    
Current Total Investment in "Other"
Expected Life (yrs.)    
Expected Salvage Value (as % if today)    
Depreciation    
Total Investments
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Improvements
  Select Unit $/Month  
Insurance (Total)
  Select Unit $/Month  
Expected Repair/Replacement Costs
  Select Unit $/Month  
Land/facility Interest Expense Including Principle (Not Mortgage)
  Select Unit $/Month  
Operating Line of Credit Interest Expense Including Principle
Total Farm Buildings, Improvements and Facilities Cost  
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Labor
  Number Salary   Total $ $/Cow
Management (Likely Yourself)  
  Number Days Hours/Day $/Hour Total $ $/Cow
Farm Labor
Custom Hire
Professional Fees
Total Labor Cost  
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Overhead
  Select Unit $/Month   Total $ $/Cow
Utilites  
  Select Unit $/Month  
Supplies  
  Select Unit $/Month  
Misc. (total)  
Total Overhead Cost
Taxes (cash)
  Total $ $/Cow
Annual expected amount of taxes (Income + Property)  
Do you expect any refunds? How Much?
Total Cash Taxes
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Opportunity Cost
  Total $ $/Cow
Opportunity Cost Percent  
Herd
Operations
Operating Interest+Principle Payment Deduction
Heifer Retainment (if selected above)
Total Opportunity Cost
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Welcome to the CattleFax Cow-Calf Breakeven Calculator

Cow-calf producers now have a comprehensive and confidential breakeven calculator to estimate the profitability of their cattle operations. The data entered in this calculator is not shared with CattleFax, and users are not asked for any personal identification information.

The calculator has been broken down into three main sections:

  • Ranch Input Data
  • Results
  • Data Management

Here are a few recommendations before you begin using this tool:

  • Briefly scroll through each section before entering data. A quick glance at each section will help you think about and collect the ranch-level information needed to complete calculations.
  • Utilize the "Print All" button on the Data Management tab. Prior to entering information into the calculator, the print out can serve as a checklist or worksheet for necessary numbers and ultimately save entry time in front of a computer. After entering all ranch data, the "Print All" function will also provide you with a printed back-up of all entered numbers.
  • Export your results digitally to make data entry easier. The information you enter into the calculator is not saved once you leave this web page. The "Export File" function within the "Data Management" tab will automatically save a plain-text file of your entered data on your computer. Make note of the download location and do not change the file name. When you revisit the cow-calf breakeven calculator, you can use the "Import File" function to upload your data into the calculator and simply edit any numbers that need changed.

The majority of your time will be spent in the "Ranch Input Data" section. Throughout this section you will enter information ranging from herd size and value to opportunity costs. Each section or area might not be completely applicable to your operation, but the validity of the calculation increases as the number of details increases. The results section then processes this information into a $/cow profit or loss measurement and provides a breakeven steer price. Additional tabs provide a Return on Investment table and chart, and the data is also provided as a benchmark based on ranch expectations for weaning weight and percentage as well as sales price.

Most of the boxes already have data in them. Use this as a starting point. You can change any of the data in the boxes. When you change the data in the box, you can use the 'enter' key or the 'tab' key to move to the next box. As you change the data, the calculator automatically update the calculated data. Some boxes have a green background, if you hold your mouse over these boxes, additional information will be displayed.

Please provide us with feedback on the calculator by calling 800-825-7525 or e-mailing [email protected]

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Breakeven Calculations
Est Real Profit/Loss per Cow   Est. Cash Profit/Loss per Cow.
  Calculated Current Est. This is the "cash" return above the potential for leasing the land. This number is the real return but excludes non-cash depreciation expense and the opportunity cost of reinvestment expense.
Number of Cows The calculated number of cows is the minimum cows necessary to breakeven based on the numbers provided in the "Ranch Input Data" section
Steer Price ($/cwt) The calculated steer price is the minimum sale prices needed to breakeven on the steer calves based on the current herd size and the expected production and costs
  NOTE: These run break-evens on your EXPECTED numbers, not the HIGH or LOW sensitivity estimates.
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Return on Investment
Returns Per Cow Per Year Expected Values  
  Weaning Percent  
  Average Calf Weight (lbs./calf)  
  Average Calf Price ($/lb.)  
  Average Calf Return ($/cow-unit)  
  Minus Retained Heifers ($/cow-unit)  
  Cull Percent  
  Ave Cull Cow Weight(lbs./cow)  
  Average Cull Cow Price($/lb)  
  Average Cull Cow Return ($/cow-unit)  
  Misc. Revenue  
  Gross Returns, $/Cow  
Costs Per Cow Per Year Expected Values % of Total*
  Pasture (or Opportunity Cost of Pasture)
  Misc. Land
  Feed & Supplement
  Equipment & Machinery
  Animal Health, Veterinary
  Buildings, Facilities, Maintenance (includes depreciation)
  Management Fees
  Labor (excluding management)
  Overhead
  Marketing Fees
  Cost to Replace Heifer
  Bull Depreciation
  Taxes
  Opportunity Cost (part may be calculated in pasture above)
  Cost per Cow per Year  
REAL Returns Over Total Costs Per Cow Per Year  
REAL Net Return on Investment  
Break Even Steer Price ($/cwt.)**  
*Cells highlighted in red note values more than 10% of total cost.
**This value is not identical to the 'Ranch Input Data' result due to fixed and variable cost calculation constraints.
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Expecation Scenarios
  Low Weaning
Percentage		   Expected Weaning
Percentage		   High Weaning
Percentage
Returns Per Cow Per Year Expected
Values		 Low
WW*		 Exp.
WW		 Low
WW		 Exp.
WW		 High
WW		 Exp
WW		 High
WW
  Weaning Percent
  Average Calf Weight (lbs./calf)
  Average Calf Price ($/lb.)
  Average Calf Return ($/cow-unit)
  Minus Retained Heifers ($/cow-unit)
  Cull Percent
  Average Cull Cow Weight (lbs./cow)
  Average Cull Cow Price ($/lb.)
  Avg Cull Cow Return ($/cow-unit)
  Misc. Revenue
  Gross Returns ($/cow unit)
Costs Per Cow Per Year
  Pasture (or opportunity cost of pasture)
  Misc Land Costs
  Feed & Supplement Costs
  Equipment & Machinery
  Animal Health, Veterinary
  Buildings, Facilities, Maintenance (inc. depreciation)
  Management Fees
  Labor (excluding management)
  Overhead
  Marketing Fee
  Cost to Replace Heifer
  Bull Depreciation
  Taxes
  Opportunity Cost (part may be calculated in pasture above)
  Cost Per Cow Per Year
REAL Returns Over Total Costs Per Cow Per Year
REAL Net Return on Investment (%)
Estimated Break Even Steer Price ($/cwt)**
* Weaning Weight
**This value is not identical to the "Ranch Input Data" result due to fixed and variable cost calculation constraints.
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Export Data

This will save a copy of all the data that has been entered (and the default data if you have not made changes) to your computer. Once saved, you can then import the file so that you can work on this later.
When you press the save button below, a file named cowCalf.txt will be saved to your downloads folder. You can print this, but do not change the file, as it will then be unreadable for import later

Import Data

This will overwrite all the data with the data that was saved to your computer.
The file to read must be named cowCalf.txt
If you saved the file, it will most likely be in your downloads folder.


Print Data

This will open a new tab in your browser. Click on the printer icon to print all your data entry pages. When you have printed, you can close that tab.

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