Cow-herd standardized performance analysis (SPA) data for Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico were used to determine economic factors affecting cow-herd costs, production, and profitability. Total cost was defined as the financial cost associated with raising a calf through the weaning stage; production, as pounds weaned per exposed female; and profits, as rate of return on assets. Variables affecting one or more performance measures included herd size; pounds of feed fed; real estate, machinery, and breeding-stock investments; calving percentage; death loss; and breeding-season length. Management variables were especially important for financial costs and profitability of the cow-herd operation.

Preconditioning calf programs, while not new, are becoming more prevalent. They provide benefits to cow-calf producers while adding value for feeder cattle buyers. However, questions remain regarding the economic costs and returns of such programs. A model was estimated with data from three consecutive-day sales, to determine the value that buyers place on preconditioning programs and related feeder cattle traits. Our results indicate that price premiums, although evident, appear to be insufficient by themselves to cover the marginal costs of preconditioning.

Most technology adoption research has focused on crops. Primary data were used to determine differences in management practices among two groups of Oklahoma cow-calf producers based on herd size and cattle income dependence. Significant differences were noted between two groups of producers (smaller operations with less dependence on cattle versus larger with more dependence on cattle) in 79% of the management practices examined. Logit models determined factors influencing the probability of adopting 17 recommended practices. Important factors included the firm goal to choose practices that reduce labor, income dependence on cattle, human capital, and size of operation.

This research examines the economic effects of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) on backgrounding and finishing phases of cattle production. This research measures the effectiveness of using serum haptoglobin (Hp) concentration to predict BRD occurrence and the impact of multiple treatments for BRD infection on cattle performance and returns. During the backgrounding phase, 222 heifers were grouped by Hp level. After the backgrounding phase, 193 heifers were then grouped by number of BRD treatments in the finishing phase. Net returns decreased in the backgrounding phase and the combined phases as the number of BRD treatments increased. Hp concentrations had no significant effects on net returns.

"Willingness-to-pay (WTP) for hypothetical brand name fresh beef products was measured using the Becker-DeGroot-Marschak experimental auction procedure. Auctions were conducted in a field setting in and around Winnipeg, Manitoba during the summer of 2006. Four hypothetical brands were developed to individually represent local/Canadian, natural, guaranteed tender, and Angus attributes, respectively. It was found that WTP was highest, approximately $1.31 per 12 ounce steak, for branded steaks associated with the natural, guaranteed tender, and Angus attributes. It was further discovered that WTP is positively affected by preference for the brand name, frequency with which beef is consumed, and the male gender. Conversely, confidence in selecting beef tended to reduce WTP, while effects of age, education, and income were uncertain. It is concluded that the industry should explore opportunities to market higher value products both domestically and abroad if the cost of doing so does not exceed WTP premiums." Copyright (c) 2009 Canadian Agricultural Economics Society.