Cow/calf enterprises showed mixed results, according to annual report data recently released. “In 2018, there was a negative return in the cow/calf enterprise, but the backgrounding enterprise showed a positive return for a second year,” according to instructor Lori Tonak. This information is based on the enterprise analysis from the farmers and ranchers enrolled in the SD Center for Farm/Ranch Management Program, administered through Mitchell Technical Institute.

The cow calf enterprise information showed a loss of $-40.73/ cow in 2018 compared to a profi t of $54.81/cow in 2017. The total cost to maintain a cow, in the average herd, was $770.04/cow, an increase from $725.85/cow in 2017. Feed costs for the cow increased $30/ head, which is attributed to the extra feed for April weather conditions in 2018. The increased feed costs, along with increased death loss of calves and breeding animals in the spring of 2018 were the major contributors for the losses in the cow/ calf enterprise.

Beef backgrounding enterprises showed profitability for a second year with a net return of $19.87 per head, which was a small increase from $15.97 in 2017. SD Center of Farm/Ranch Management did not have a large enough data set to calculate beef and hog fi nishing operation profitability this year.

The major factors that affect the profitability in the livestock enterprises are death loss, feed costs and purchase/selling price. Controlling input costs, practicing good herd management techniques, and having a well-planned marketing strategy can potentially increase profi ts for livestock enterprises.