Decision Making Tools
In addition to the information provided on the BCRC Blog and under the Topics tab of this website, the following tools can help you make specific production decisions that suit your operation.
Value of Crops for Livestock Feeds Calculator
This decision-making tool was developed to help beef producers work with their neighbors to determine a value for salvaged crops.
Click to download [.xls file | 95kb]
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Preconditioning and Backgrounding Calculator
This decision-making tool is designed to identify economic opportunities and risks from backgrounding or preconditioning cattle by providing a summary of estimated net returns. It is currently available as an Excel download. A webpage version is in development. In meantime, to access a webpage version that evaluates preconditioning only, click here.
Click to download preconditioning and backgrounding calculator [.xlxs file | 149kb] Updated October 2021
Learn More:
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What's the Most Profitable Post-Weaning Choice for your Calves? - BCRC Blog Post
Related:Value of Preconditioning online calculator
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- Calculator: what is the value of preconditioning calves - BCRC Blog post (April 14, 2014)
- Economic considerations of preconditioning calves- Canfax Research Services fact sheet (September 2015)
- [French version] Considérations Économiques du Préconditionnement
Tool for Evaluating Feed Test ResultsThe following calculator was developed by the Alberta Beef, Forage and Grazing Centre. It allows producers to enter results from your feed tests to determine if that feed is of adequate nutritional value to be fed on its own.
- Learn more: New Feed Testing Tools - BCRC Blog Post May 29, 2019
Tool for Evaluating the Economic Value of Feeds Based on Nutrient Content
The following calculator was developed by the Alberta Beef, Forage and Grazing Centre. It helps producers to determine the value of feed that they may be considering purchasing compared to the value of standard feeds.
Learn more:
- New Feed Testing Tools - BCRC Blog Post May 29, 2019
Economics of Water Systems Calculator
The following calculator is based on a study by Lardner et al. (2005) that reported calves whose dams drank from water troughs gained on average 0.09 lbs per day more than calves whose dams had direct access to the dugout. This calculator allows producers to:
- Compare the costs and benefits of installing 3 different watering systems on a cow-calf operation.
- Compare the costs and benefits of installing 5 different watering systems to use with yearling grassers.
- Determine how long it will take you to pay off any of the above water systems on your operation.
Learn more:
- How quickly do water systems pay for themselves? New calculator available - BCRC Blog post (April 5, 2018)
- Economics of Water Systems - Canfax Research Services Fact Sheet (March 2018)
Winter Feed Cost Comparison Calculator
Producers can use the Winter Feeding Rations and Estimated Costs decision making tool to calculate and compare the costs of main feed ingredients in different rations.
Click to download [.xlsx file | 109kb] Updated November 2021
Learn More:
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Winter Feed Cost Comparison Calculator: Managing Variable Costs - BCRC Blog Post November 2021
- Winter Feeding Cost Comparison: Hay Vs. Alternative Feeds - BCRC Blog Post October 23, 2019
Forage U-PickForage U-Pick is a tool designed to provide users with information for forage selection, forage seeding rates, and weed management.
While every effort has been made to compile accurate and useful information, this tool should be considered a starting point for decision-making. When selecting a forage or forage mix, the Forage U-Pick tool should be used in conjunction with additional feedback from local professionals, other available technical resources, and the latest forage research.
The Forage U-Pick project was supported by over 13 different organizations through contributions of time and expertise. Funding was provided by the Beef Cattle Research Council, Alberta Beef, Forage and Grazing Centre, Saskatchewan Forage Council, and the Government of British Columbia and Government of Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
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Carrying Capacity CalculatorThe Carrying Capacity Calculator allows producers to determine the carrying capacity of pastures based on two methods: 1) estimates based on provincial guides and 2) field-based sampling.
Click to download [.xlsx file | 120kb]
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Cow-Calf Production Indicators Calculator Producers can use the Cow-Calf Production Indicators Calculator to enter their own production numbers (only 15 numbers are needed) and compare them with an Industry Target and Regional Benchmark from the most recent regional cow-calf surveys.
Click to download [.xlsx file | 143kb]
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BRD Vaccination Cost Benefit Calculator
The Cost-Benefit of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) Vaccinated Calves tool allows producers to input the number of feeder calves purchased (or retained), price, feed weight, cost of gain, days on feed and expected fed cattle price to see the potential savings from sourcing feeder cattle that have been vaccinated for BRD. Click to download [.xlsx file | 95kb]
Learn More:
- The Cost Benefit of Using Vaccines: BRD - BCRC Blog Post (October 10, 2019)
BVD Vaccination Cost Benefit CalculatorThe Cost Benefit of Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) Vaccinations tool allows producers to input their herd size, expected price, animal weights, cost of vaccine and labour to see the potential savings from vaccinating cattle for BVD.
Click to download [.xlsx file | 96kb] Updated November 2021
Learn More:
- The Cost Benefit of Using Vaccines: BVD - BCRC Blog Post (September 26, 2019)
Bull Valuation CalculatorIdentifying a fair price during sire selection contributes to higher efficiency in operation economics. This calculator helps to estimate breakeven bull price based on different traits and the key parameters of your farm.
Click to download [.xlsx file | 100kb]
Learn more:
- Bull Valuation - Canfax Research Services March, 2019
- Bull Selection: Breeding Programs That Suit Operational Goal (Part One) - BCRC Blog Post February 7, 2019
- Bull Selection: What Are You Looking For? (Part Two) - BCRC Blog Post February 14, 2019
- Bull Selection: Using Economically Relevant Traits (Part Three) - BCRC Blog Post February 21, 2019
- Bull Selection: New Calculator to Determine the Value of a Bull (Part Four) - BCRC Blog Post February 28, 2019
Value of Calving Distribution CalculatorEach time a cow is not bred during a 21-day heat cycle, it can cost up to 39 lbs of weaning weight (assuming an average daily gain on calves of 1.85 lbs/day). This calculator will allow producers to see what their current calving distribution is, and what the impact on your revenue would be if they move to the industry target of 60-25-10-5, or a condensed breeding season of three cycles.
Learn more:
- A Prolonged Calving Season Can Be Costly - BCRC Blog Post June 13, 2019
Economics of Pregnancy Testing Beef Cattle
The following calculator is based on the economics of preg-checking model which was developed by Ben-Ezra and Muzzin in 2015. It can help cow-calf producers determine which of the following three options is most economical for their operation:
- Preg-check and cull non-pregnant cows in the fall.
- Preg-check in the fall and feed non-pregnant cows separately to market at a later date.
- Do not preg-check - overwinter all cows and cull opens in the spring after calving.
A basic and advanced version are available. Both versions have the option to enter parameters for feeding cull cows as a separate group.
Click to view the interactive tool.
Learn more:
- Economics of preg-checking: a 2017 update - BCRC Blog post (August 31, 2017)
- Try this new calculator to determine when it pays to preg-check - BCRC Blog post (March 23, 2016)
- Economics of Preg-Checking - Canfax Research Services Fact Sheet (April 2017)
Impact of Body Condition on Cow Productivity and ProfitabilityDemonstrates productivity of cows at various body condition scores, such as pregnancy rate, % showing estrus 30 days after calving, and calf weaning weight. Also estimates the value of calf crops for cows maintained at each body condition score.
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