Determination of Optimum Cattle Systems for Tropical and Subtropical Livestock Enterprises

Abstract

A method is given for selecting by economic criteria the optimal cattle system for tropical and subtropical livestock enterprises. Budgets are presented for four types of operation: steer fattening, cow-calf, dairy only, and dual purpose (milk and beef). An explanation of decision criteria of production economics in given as well as the method for cattle enterprises of equating marginal revenue and marginal cost or, alternatively, where marginal value product equals input cost. Simple budgeting is adequate as an analytical tool where there are no major constraints such as labor or capital placed on an operation in which only one enterprise, cattle, is used. © 1982, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.