Management of the Cow Herd: Survey Responses of the Montana and U.S. Rancher

By John Paterson, Extension Beef Specialist, Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University-Bozeman

2004 - Surveys conducted by the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) and MSU were sent to beef cattle producers this past winter. The NAHMS survey included 77 MT ranches and was part of a national survey of 23 states and included 2,713 cow/calf producers. The second survey was from ranchers who attended the Calving Management workshops held at seven locations in the state during January and February. Part of the NAHMS-MT survey was intentionally designed to have "open-ended" answers to determine what was on the mind of the rancher.

Results of the MT-NAHMS Survey

1. When MT ranchers were asked what data they collected on their calves, they responded that:

• 77% collected weaning weights
• 27% use data collected data from where the cattle were finished
• 15% collected carcass weights
• 15% collected yield grade data
• 13% collected quality grade data
• 10% indicated that they collect no data
• 23% indicated that the data collected included birthdate, birthweight and calving ease.

2. Nationally, when ranchers were asked if they kept records on their beef herds, 81% maintained some sort of records.

The following describes the systems of record keeping:

• 79.1% hand-written records
• 10.2% computer located on the operation
• 3.5% computer located off the operation
• 13.0% computer located on or off the operation
• 81.3% any of the above methods

3. When MT ranchers were asked who represents them with regard to legislative issues, they responded:

• 87% indicated they were represented by the MT Stockgrowers Association
• 56% indicated representation by National Cattlemen's Beef Association
• 42% indicated representation by MT Farm Bureau
• 25% indicated representation by Farmers Union
• 7% indicated no representation
• 6% indicated the US congressional delegation

4. Montana ranchers were asked if they implanted their calves. The responses were:

• 70% indicated that they implanted calves
• 30% indicated that they did not implant calves
• On a national basis, 14.3% used some sort of implant in calves prior to weaning. Use of implants prior to weaning was more common in the largest operations (55.4%) compared to the smallest operations (8.6%).
  

5. As a follow-up question, MT ranchers were asked when they implanted their calves. Their response was:

• 98% implant at branding time

6. Montana ranchers were asked when they marketed their calves. Their response was:

• 77% indicated between 6 and 9 months
• 11% indicated between 10 and 12 months
• 10% indicated marketing after 12 months

7. On a national basis, ranchers were asked how they marketed their calves. The responses were

• 85.0% used an auction
• 0.7% used a video auction
• 10.4% used private treaty
• 1.2% used a consignment
• 0.5% used a forward contract
• 1.3% used carcass basis
• 0.9% used some other method.

8. Montana ranchers were asked if they were concerned about water quality issues.

• 75% indicated that they were concerned although not solely because of their livestock interests

9. As part of the "open-ended" part of the survey, MT ranchers were asked to describe their most pressing production challenges. Answers provided included:

• Animal and Herd Management: Producing more uniform calves, usage of nutritional supplements, calf survival, disease control and prevention, genetics, cow infertility
• Feed and Grazing: Water quality, drought management, noxious weed control, predator control, small hay base, feed costs, feed quality
• Marketing and Prices: Keeping expenses below income, cost efficiency, fair prices, taxes, producing for consumers
• Information and Policies: NAFTA, more information from bull producers, packer monopoly, state and federal regulations

10. What research programs do you think would be most helpful to your livestock operation in the future?

• Animal and Herd Management: disease control and prevention, vaccination strategies, fly control.
• Genetics: genetic performance
• Supplemental Nutrients: Protein sources, macro and micro minerals, immunity
• Grazing: Rotational grazing, grass and forage types, herbicides, noxious weed control
• Marketing and Price Issues: Promotion of beef to consumers, profit margins, economic impact of imported beef

11. What Extension programming emphasis do you think would be helpful to your operation in the future?

• Marketing and Economics:Beef promotion, forward pricing, financial analyses of production, economic benefits of various management techniques, economic impact of imported cattle
• Management and Information:Reducing paperwork for program involvement, informing producers of new breakthroughs in research, more local meetings, consumer education, computer programs, low-cost permanent animal identification, control of parasites
• Health:Emerging and threatening diseases, nutrient deficiency, calf health, synchronization of heifers and cows, bull selection, ultrasound, parasite control.
• Grazing:noxious weed control, environmental issues, grazing hay land, hay quality research, feed evaluation, breeding to meet consumer demands, meat quality and taste, IRM, SPA.

Survey of Calving Management Workshops: Participants at the seven Calving Management Workshops held during January and February were asked to respond to a program survey. Three hundred surveys were sent out and 81 were returned. Responses were:

1. How many miles (round-trip) did you travel to attend the workshop?

• 25% 0-50 miles
• 19% 51-100 miles
• 31% 101 - 200 miles
• 21% 201 - 500 miles
• 3% more than 500 miles

2. How many cows do you calve each year?

• 23% Less than 50 cows
• 6% 51 - 100 cows
• 19% 101 - 200 cows
• 21% 201- 300 cows
• 31% More than 300 cows

3. Please estimate the number of calves you believe the seminar helped save;

4. Did the seminar provide you with useful information?

• 94% yes
• 6% no

5. Was the seminar of significant educational importance?

• 99% yes
• 1% no

Special thanks to the county agents who helped provide the Calving Management Seminar: Dave Phillips, Ron Carlstrom, Wade Crouch, Ole Sherwood, Kent Williams, John Halpop, Gerry Marks, Rob Johnson, Jack Stivers, Marty Malone, Virginia Knerr, Lisa Schmidt and Richard Lovec. Thanks also to Dr. Frank Hould who coordinated the MT Rancher survey.

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 08/29/2006