Beef Cow-Calf Planning Budget

Editor’s note
The following abstract describes a publication that is only available as a downloadable PDF.

See the Beef Budgets workbook (XLSX) for related information.

Wesley Tucker
Field Specialist in Agricultural Business

Zachary Erwin
Field Specialist in Livestock

Elliott Dennis
Associate Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics

Drew Kientzy
Senior Research Analyst, Agricultural Business and Policy

Abstract

Using this planning budget, beef cow-calf operations may estimate their costs and returns for 2027. Table 1 presents estimates for a Missouri cow-calf operation with a 50-cow herd, assuming either a fall or spring calving season and calf sales in calendar year 2027. Fall-calving budgets assume purchased replacements, while spring-calving budgets assume raising replacements. Assumptions were based on price forecasts as of October 2026. Detailed assumptions and feed requirements are summarized in Tables 2, 3, 4, and 5. The production practices used to develop these cost estimates are common in Missouri beef farms. Use the “Your estimate” column to plan your operation’s costs and returns for 2027.

Topics

• Beef cow-calf
• Farm budget

Pages

• 2