CHAPTER 4.2: Cattle
If you have chosen to analyze cattle enterprises, then at some point you will need to enter information about those enterprises in the menu items in the Cattle menu. You may begin to do so upon completion of Setup as well as the relevant General Information menu items all under the Ranch menu.
When you choose Cattle, you will see the following menu:
You may begin entering information regarding the cattle enterprises by selecting one of the menu items in the Cattle menu. See Reports, page 17 or Guide in the Help for information concerning which menu items need to be completed to receive the various reports.
The Inventory menu item in the Cattle menu allows you to enter information regarding the number and mortality rates for the cattle on the ranch. The first dialog you see when you choose Inventory will be either figure 4.10 or figure 4.11. The information provided in this first dialog helps establish the starting point for the cow-calf enterprise. If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed this first dialog will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
If the inventory occurred between weaning and calving, you will see a dialog like figure 4.10. Under Mortality % enter the expected mortality rate for the different types of breeding cattle. The mortality rate for breeding cattle refers to the percentage expected to die during the year following the inventory date. For example, if 3 of 100 H2's are expected to die in the year, enter (3) for the Mortality % for H2's.
3 (deaths in the year) / 100 (number of H2s) = 3 (Mortality %)
Under Number enter the total number of bulls, H1's and H0's present on the inventory date. For mature cows and H2's, enter both the number thought to be pregnant as well as the number thought to be open (not pregnant) as of the inventory date.
If the inventory occurred between calving and weaning, you will see a dialog like figure 4.11.
Under Mortality % enter the expected mortality rate for the bulls, mature cows, H2's, H1's and H0's for the year following the inventory date. Under Number enter the total number of bulls, mature cows, H2's, H1's, and H0's present on the inventory date. For mature cows and H2's also enter the number of the total that are expected to wean a calf at weaning time. In addition enter the number of both heifer calves and steer calves that are expected to survive to weaning. For example if there are 63 heifer calves and 64 steer calves but you expect 2 deaths from the heifer calves and 2 deaths from the steer calves before they are weaned, enter (61) as the number of Heifer Calves and (62) as the number of Steer Calves.
If cows first calf at two years of age, then H0's do not exist. Therefore, the text H0's will appear "grayed out" and its corresponding spaces should be ignored.
When you are ready to go on, select the More button. You will then see the second dialog which looks like figure 4.12. The information provided in this dialog helps establish the starting point for five different stocker cattle enterprises. Under Mortality % enter the expected mortality rate for retained heifer stockers and retained steer stockers as well as for the cattle in the different acquired stocker enterprises. The mortality rate for stocker cattle refers to the percentage expected to die during the time they are held. For example if you expect 3 out of 100 cattle in an acquired stocker enterprise to die between when they are purchased and when they are sold, enter (3) for the Mortality %.
3 deaths / 100 ( stockers) = 3 (Mortality %)
Under Number enter the numbers of cattle present within each enterprise on the inventory date that are expected to survive to sale. For example if on the inventory date there are 100 cattle in the enterprise known as acquired stockers 1, but from past experience you expect 96 of them to be alive when they are sold, enter (96) in the space for Number for Acquired Stockers 1.
If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed, then retained stocker spaces will appear "grayed out." If acquired stocker enterprises are not being analyzed then acquired stocker spaces will appear "grayed out." If no stocker enterprises are being analyzed this entire dialog will appear "grayed out." Ignore all "grayed out" areas.
The livestock numbers should be greater than or equal to zero and the mortality rates should be between zero and one hundred. Ranch Vision assumes blank spaces are zero.
If at any point you need additional information about the questions being asked in a dialog, click on the Help button on the dialog box. The cursor will take the appearance of a question mark (?). You may then move the cursor to any part of the screen you wish to know more about and click on it. A Help window will appear that will give additional information about that subject. For additional assistance using the Help system see page 5. You may also select Glossary in the Help or see the Glossary at the back of the manual for help with definitions of terms.
If you wish to cancel changes made to a dialog box choose Cancel, and the questions will return to their previous answers. When you have answered all of the relevant questions in each of the dialogs select the Done buttons. You will then return to the main menu.
When you choose Statistics in the Cattle menu you will see a dialog like figure 4.13. Ranch Vision uses the information provided in this dialog to help predict cattle numbers in future years. First enter the expected Pregnant % for H1's, H2's and mature cows. The pregnant % is the number pregnant divided by the number exposed to the bull multiplied by 100.
Pregnant % = (number pregnant ÷ number bred) x 100
For example if of 100 cows being bred 90 are expected to become pregnant, the pregnant % would be 90.
90 =(90 pregnant cows ÷ 100 exposed cows) x 100
The Pregnant % for H1's refers to heifers being bred their first breeding season. The Pregnant % for H2's refers to heifers being bred their second breeding season. The Pregnant % for mature cows refers to cows being bred their third or more breeding season. If they are not pregnancy tested enter (100).Next enter the Weaned % for H2's and mature cows. For cattle, the weaned % is the number of cows weaning a calf divided by the number of cows pregnant, multiplied by 100.
Weaned % = (number weaning calves ÷ number pregnant) x 100
For example if 95 of 100 pregnant cows are expected to wean a calf, the weaned % would be 95.
95 = (95 cows weaning calves ÷ 100 pregnant cows) x 100
The weaned % from the heifers' first breeding season is the Weaned % for H2's. The weaned % from the cows' second or latter breeding season is the Weaned % for mature cows. If you do not pregnancy test, the weaned % becomes the number weaning calves divided by the number exposed for breeding.
Finally enter the Culled % for mature cows, H2's, H1's, H0's and bulls. Culled refers to animals sold for any reason other than being open or dry. Open describes a cow not pregnant when she should be. Dry describes a cow failing to wean a live calf. The culled % is the number of animals culled divided by the total number of animals, multiplied by 100.
Culled % = (number culled ÷ total number) x 100
The mature cows culled % refers to mature cows and H2's culled during the year from those present on the inventory date. For example if of 100 mature cows and H2's at the inventory date 2 are expected to be culled, the Mat. Cows culled % would be (2).
The H2's culled % refers to H1's culled during the year from those present on the inventory date. For example if of 100 H1's at the inventory date we expect to cull 4, the H2's culled % would be (4). The definitions of the H1's culled % and the H0's culled % are dependent on whether the cows first calve at two years of age or three years of age.
If the cows first calve at three years of age:
The H1's culled % would refer to H0's culled during the year from those present on the inventory date. For example if of 100 H0's at the inventory date we expect to cull 10, the H1's culled % would be (10). The H0's culled % would refer to weaned replacement heifers culled between their weaning and a year following the inventory date. For example, if of 100 replacement heifer calves we expect to cull 5 between their upcoming weaning and the anniversary of the inventory date, the H0's culled % would be (5).
If cows first calve at two years of age:
The H1's culled % would refer to weaned replacement heifers culled between their weaning and a year following the inventory date. For example, if of 100 replacement heifer calves we expect to cull 5 between their upcoming weaning and the anniversary of the inventory date, the H1 culled % would be (5). If the cows first calve at two years of age, neither H0's nor H0 culled % exists; therefore, H0's culled % would be "grayed out" and should be ignored.
The bull culled % reflects the number of years a bull is kept before being replaced. It is calculated as one hundred divided by the average number of years before a breeding bull is replaced. For example, if each bull is replaced after two years, the bull culled % would be (50).
50 = 100 ÷ 2 years of breeding life
All numbers entered in the Cattle Statistics dialog should be between zero and one hundred. Ranch Vision assumes blank spaces are zero. If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed this dialog will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
If at any point you need additional information about the questions being asked in this dialog screen, click on the Help button on the dialog. The cursor will take the appearance of a question mark (?). You may then move the cursor to any part of the screen you wish to know more about and click on it. A Help window will appear that will give additional information about that subject. For additional assistance using the Help system see page 5. You may also select Glossary in the Help or see the Glossary at the back of the manual for help with definitions of terms.
If you wish to cancel changes made choose Cancel, and the questions will return to their previous answers.When you have answered all of the relevant questions select the Done button. You will then return to the main menu.
When you choose Management in the Cattle menu you will see a dialog like figure 4.14. Ranch Vision uses the information provided in this dialog to identify how the manager will respond when confronted with various management choices. First enter the percentage of heifer and steer calves that will be retained for stocker enterprises. For example if 20 of 100 heifer calves are to be kept at weaning to create a retained heifer stocker enterprise, then (20) would be the % Retained for Stockers under H.calves.
20 = (20 retained for stockers ÷ 100 total heifer calves) x 100
If stocker enterprises are not being analyzed, these two questions will be "grayed out" and should be ignored.
Also enter the percentage of heifer calves that will be kept as breeding replacements. For example if 15 of 50 heifer calves are to be kept at weaning as breeding replacements then enter (30) as the % retained for breeding replacements.
30 = (15 retained for breeding replacements ÷ 50 total heifer calves) x 100
Of course, the percentage of heifer calves retained as stockers plus the percentage of heifer calves kept as breeding replacements can never be greater than 100.
The next questions concern what will be done with open cows. Enter the percentage of open H1's, open H2's and open mature cows that will be sold. Open H1's refer to heifers that are not pregnant following their first breeding season. Open H2's refer to heifers that are not pregnant following their second breeding season. Open mature cows refer to cows that are not pregnant following their third or later breeding season. For example if all open cows within a class are to be sold, enter (100). If half the open cows will be sold, enter (50), etc...
The last spaces concern what will be done with dry cows. Enter the percentage of dry H2's and dry mature cows that will be sold. Dry H2's are heifers that fail to wean a calf after their first calving. Dry mature cows are cows that fail to wean a calf after the second or later calving. For example if all dry H2's or mature cows are to be sold, enter (100). If none will be sold, enter (0), etc...
All numbers entered in the Cattle Management Statistics should be between zero and one hundred. Ranch Vision assumes blank spaces are zero. If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed this dialog will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
If at any point you need additional information about the questions being asked in this dialog, click on the Help button on the dialog box. The cursor will take the appearance of a question mark (?). You may then move the cursor to any part of the screen you wish to know more about and click on it. A Help window will appear that will give additional information about that subject. For additional assistance using the Help system see page 5. You may also select Glossary in the Help or see the Glossary at the back of the manual for help with definitions of terms.
If you wish to cancel changes that you made choose Cancel, and the questions will return to their previous answers.When you have answered all of the relevant questions select the Done button. You will then return to the main menu.
The Purchases menu item in the Cattle menu allows you to enter information regarding future cattle purchases. The first dialog you see when you choose Purchases will look like figure 4.15. The upper box concerns future purchases of breeding cattle. Under the column heading Price/Head enter the expected purchase price per animal during the year following the inventory date for bulls, mature cows, H2's, H1's and H0's. These descriptions refer to the animal's status at the time of purchase. Under Number enter the number of mature cows, H2's, H1's, and H0's to be purchased in the year following the inventory date. Ranch Vision does not ask for the number of bulls to be purchased because it automatically calculates this number in order to maintain the same cow to bull ratio in future years as is present on the inventory date. Next select the month of the year that purchases will take place for each type of cattle.
If the cows first calve at two years of age the spaces concerning H0's will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored. If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed then all of the spaces in the upper box will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
The lower box concerns future purchases of cattle for the acquired stocker enterprises. Under the column heading Price/lb(or kg) enter the expected purchase price per unit weight for the cattle coming into the acquired stocker enterprises during the year following the inventory date. Under Weight enter the weight at purchase for the cattle coming into the acquired stocker enterprises.
Under Number enter the number of cattle coming into each of the acquired stocker enterprises during the year following the inventory date. Also select the month of the year that purchases are to take place for these cattle.
If acquired stocker enterprises are not being analyzed the lower box will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
When you are ready to go on, select the More button. If the inventory was taken between weaning and calving the second dialog will be like figure 4.16. Otherwise it will be like figure 4.17.
For Cattle Purchases Sec. 2 (Weaning and Calving), indicate in the upper box when mature cows and H2's will be purchased relative to the inventory date. Will they be purchased before calving, between calving and weaning or after weaning. For H1's and H0's indicate if the purchases will be made before or after weaning.
If the cows first calve at two years of age, H0's will appear "grayed out' and should be ignored. If a cow calf enterprise is not being analyzed then the upper box will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
In the middle box indicate if the cattle in the acquired stocker enterprises which are to be purchased in the year following the inventory date will also be sold within the year following the inventory date. For example, if the inventory was taken in February and cattle for an acquired stocker enterprise are purchased in April, select (yes) if these animals are sold before the following February and (no) if they are sold after the following February. In a similar manner indicate if cattle in the retained stocker enterprises are sold within one year following the inventory date of the year during which they are weaned. For example if the inventory is taken in March and the calves are to be weaned in June and some of the steers will be retained for a retained steer stocker enterprise, select (yes) if these steer stockers are to be sold before the following March and (no) if they are not.
If acquired stocker enterprises are not being analyzed then questions concerning acquired stockers will appear "grayed out." If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed or if stocker enterprises are not being analyzed then questions concerning retained stockers will appear "grayed out." Ignore "grayed out" questions.
For the three questions at the bottom of the dialog, indicate if purchased mature cows, H2's or H1's are confirmed pregnant at the time of purchase. Unless the mature cows H2's or H1's are purchased after weaning, the question will appear "grayed out." If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed these last three questions will be "grayed out." Ignore all "grayed out" questions.
For Cattle Purchases Sec. 2 (Calving and Weaning), indicate in the upper box when mature cows and H2's will be purchased relative to the inventory date. Will they be purchased before weaning, between weaning and calving or after calving. For H1's and H0's indicate if the purchases will be made before or after weaning.
If the cows first calve at two years of age, H0's will appear "grayed out' and should be ignored. If a cow calf enterprise is not being analyzed then the upper box will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
In the middle box indicate if the cattle in the acquired stocker enterprises which are to be purchased in the year following the inventory date will also be sold within the year following the inventory date. For example, if the inventory was taken in June and cattle for an acquired stocker enterprise are purchased in March, select (yes) if these animals are sold before the following June and (no) if they are sold after the following June. In a similar manner indicate if cattle in the retained stocker enterprises are sold within one year following the inventory date of the year during which they are weaned. For example if the inventory is taken in May and the calves are to be weaned in June and some of the steers will be retained for a retained steer stocker enterprise, select (yes) if these steer stockers are to be sold before the following May and (no) if they are not.
If acquired stocker enterprises are not being analyzed then questions concerning acquired stockers will appear "grayed out." If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed or if stocker enterprises are not being analyzed then questions concerning retained stockers will appear "grayed out." Ignore "grayed out" questions.
For the three questions at the bottom of the dialog, indicate if purchased mature cows, H2's or H1's are confirmed pregnant at the time of purchase. Unless the mature cows or H2's are purchased between weaning and calving, the question will appear "grayed out." Unless the H1's are purchased after weaning the question will appear "grayed out". If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed these last three questions will be "grayed out." Again ignore all "grayed out" questions. All numbers entered in the Purchases dialogs should be greater than or equal to zero. Ranch Vision assumes blank spaces are zero.
If at any point you need additional information about the questions being asked in a dialog, click on the Help button on the dialog box. The cursor will take the appearance of a question mark (?). You may then move the cursor to any part of the screen you wish to know more about and click on it. A Help window will appear that will give additional information about that subject. For additional assistance using the Help system see page 5. You may also select Glossary in the Help or see the Glossary at the back of the manual for help with definitions of terms.
If you wish to cancel changes made to a dialog box choose Cancel, and the questions will return to their previous answers.
When you have answered all of the relevant questions in each of the dialogs select the Done buttons. You will then return to the main menu.
The Sales menu item in the Cattle menu allows you to enter information regarding future cattle sales. The first dialog you see when you choose Sales will look like figure 4.18. This dialog concerns sales of cattle from the cow-calf enterprise. For each type of cattle listed including cull bulls, dry mature cows, open mature cows, cull mature cows, dry H2's, open H2's, cull H2's, open H1's, cull H1's, cull H0's, heifer calves and steer calves, select the month during which they will be sold. Under the column heading Weight enter the expected weight at
the time of sale. Under the column heading Price/lb(or kg) enter the expected sales price per unit weight at the time of sale in the year following the inventory date. Ranch Vision automatically projects how many of each type of animal will be sold.
If the cows first calve at two years of age the spaces concerning H0's will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored. If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed then the entire dialog will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
When you are ready to go on, select the More button. A second dialog like figure 4.19 will appear. This dialog concerns sales of cattle from the stocker enterprises. For each type of cattle listed including retained heifer stockers, retained steer stockers, acquired stocker 1 cattle, acquired stocker 2 cattle and acquired stocker 3 cattle, select the month during which they will be sold. Under the column heading Weight enter the expected weight at the time of sale. Under the column heading Price/lb (or kg) enter the expected sales price per unit of weight at the time of sale in the year following the inventory date. Ranch Vision automatically projects how many of each type of animal will be sold.
If acquired stocker enterprises are not being analyzed then Acquired Stockers 1, Acquired Stockers 2 and Acquired Stockers 3 will appear "grayed out." If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed or if stocker enterprises are not being analyzed then Retained Heifer Stockers and Retained Steer Stockers will appear "grayed out." Ignore spaces corresponding to "grayed out" text.
All numbers entered in the Sales dialogs should be greater than or equal to zero. Ranch Vision assumes blank spaces are zero.
If at any point you need additional information about the questions being asked in a dialog, click on the Help button on the dialog box. The cursor will take the appearance of a question mark (?). You may then move the cursor to any part of the screen you wish to know more about and click on it. A Help window will appear that will give additional information about that subject. For additional assistance using the Help system see page 5. You may also select Glossary in the Help or see the Glossary at the back of the manual for help with definitions of terms.
If you wish to cancel changes made to a dialog choose Cancel, and the questions will return to their previous answers.When you have answered all of the relevant questions in each of the dialogs select the Done buttons. You will then return to the main menu.
The Grazing menu item in the Cattle menu allows you to enter information used to calculate the cattle grazing requirements. The first dialog you see when you choose Grazing will look like figure 4.20. The questions in this dialog concern cattle in the cow-calf enterprise. First identify whether these cattle are medium-framed or large-framed. Medium-framed cattle are those producing heifers of 400-475 kg (882-1047 lbs) and steers of 450-520 kg (992-1146 lbs) live weight at usual market finish. Large-framed cattle are those producing heifers of more than 475 kg (1047 lbs) and steers of more than 520 kg (1146 lbs) live weight at usual market finish.
Secondly identify the expected level of milk production for cows on their second or later lactation. The milking ability refers to the average daily amount of 4.0% butterfat milk that cows are expected to produce during the first 3.5 months of lactation. "Average milking ability" is defined as 5 kg (11 lbs) of milk per day; "above average milking ability" is defined as 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs) of milk per day, and "superior milking ability" is 10 kg (22 lbs) of milk per day. Cows on their first lactation are assumed to possess "average milking ability."
Next identify the month that the breeding season begins for the cow-calf enterprise.
Finally enter the average weights during the year for bulls, mature cows and H2's. In addition enter for the year following the inventory date, the equivalent number of months that animals are provided supplemental feed at levels meeting their maintenance energy needs. In other words, identify the amount of supplemental feed provided to each animal as measured by that animals' average monthly maintenance energy requirements. This is done for the bulls, mature cows and H2's present on the inventory date as well as for those to be purchased during the year. For example if each bull is provided supplemental feed meeting its maintenance energy requirements for two months during the year, enter (2) in the space provided for bulls. If during the year following the inventory date, each purchased H2 is provided supplemental feed at one half its maintenance energy requirements for a period of three months, enter (1.5) in the space provided for purchased H2's.
If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed, this dialog will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
When you are ready to go on, select the More button. A second dialog like figure 4.21 will appear. In Cattle Grazing Demands Sec. 2 enter the average weights of H1's and H0's on the inventory date. Also enter the equivalent number of months that H1's, purchased H1's, H0's, purchased H0's, weaned replacement heifers, heifer calves and steer calves are provided supplemental feed at levels meeting their maintenance energy needs during the year following the inventory date. In other words, identify the amount of supplemental feed provided to each animal as measured by that animals' average monthly maintenance energy requirements. For example if each heifer calf is provided supplemental feed meeting half its maintenance energy requirements for two months, enter (1) in the space provided for heifer calves. If during the year following the inventory date, each purchased H1 is provided supplemental feed at one and a half times its maintenance energy requirements for a period of two months, enter (3) in the space provided for purchased H1's.
If cows first calve at two years of age the text H0's and Purchased H0's will appear "grayed out", and their corresponding spaces should be ignored.
Also enter the equivalent number of months that retained heifer stockers and retained steer stockers are provided supplemental feed at levels meeting their maintenance energy requirements between being weaned and being sold. For example if retained heifer stockers are feed half their maintenance energy requirements for two months between when they enter the retained heifer stocker enterprise at weaning and when they are later sold, enter (1).If stocker enterprises are not being analyzed, questions for retained stockers will appear "grayed out' and should be ignored. If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed this entire dialog will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
When you are ready to go on, select the More button. A third dialog like figure 4.22 will appear.
This dialog concerns the cattle in the acquired stocker enterprises. Enter the equivalent number of months they are provided supplemental feed at levels meeting their maintenance energy requirements between being purchased and being sold. For example if acquired stocker 1 cattle are fed half their maintenance energy requirements for three months, enter (1.5).
Also classify the cattle in the acquired stocker cattle enterprises as medium framed steers, medium framed heifers, large framed steer calves, compensating medium framed yearling steers, medium framed bull calves, large framed bull calves, compensating large frame yearling steers, large frame heifer calves, compensating yearling heifers or mature thin cows.
All numbers entered in the Grazing dialogs should be greater than or equal to zero. Ranch Vision assumes blank spaces are zero.
If at any point you need additional information about the questions being asked in a dialog, click on the Help button on the dialog box. The cursor will take the appearance of a question mark (?). You may then move the cursor to any part of the screen you wish to know more about and click on it. A Help window will appear that will give additional information about that subject. For additional assistance using the Help system see page 5. You may also select Glossary in the Help or see the Glossary at the back of the manual for help with definitions of terms.
If you wish to cancel changes made to a dialog choose Cancel, and the questions will return to their previous answers.When you have answered all of the relevant questions in each of the dialogs select the Done buttons. You will then return to the main menu.
When you choose Inventory Appraisal in the Cattle menu you will see a dialog like figure 4.23. The information provided in this dialog forms the basis by which Ranch Vision determines the value of the cattle inventory at the beginning and end of each period. This is necessary when using accrual based accounting methods for the ranch business. For each type of cattle listed enter the average market value per animal on the inventory date.
If the cows calve at two year of age then H0's will be "grayed out"; if a cow-calve enterprise is not being analyzed then the spaces corresponding to bulls, mature cows, H2's, H1's, H0's, calves and retained stockers will appear "grayed out"; if the inventory was taken between weaning and calving then the spaces for heifer calves and steer calves will appear "grayed out"; if stocker enterprises are not being analyzed, questions for retained stockers and acquired stockers will
appear "grayed out." If acquired stocker enterprises are not being analyzed, their corresponding spaces will be "grayed out." Ignore any "grayed out" areas.
All numbers entered in the Inventory Appraisal dialogs should be greater than or equal to zero. Ranch Vision assumes blank spaces are zero.
If at any point you need additional information about the questions being asked in this dialog, click on the Help button on the dialog box. The cursor will take the appearance of a question mark (?). You may then move the cursor to any part of the screen you wish to know more about and click on it. A Help window will appear that will give additional information about that subject. For additional assistance using the Help system see page 5. You may also select Glossary in the Help or see the Glossary at the back of the manual for help with definitions of terms.
If you wish to cancel changes made to the dialog choose Cancel, and the questions will return to their previous answers.
When you have answered all of the relevant questions select the Done button. You will then return to the main menu.
When you choose the Direct Costs menu item under the Cattle menu, you are given a choice of two sub-menus, Simplified and Detailed. You may complete either. The Simplified sub-menu has a less detailed list of questions regarding cow-calf enterprise direct costs. However, completing the Detailed sub-menu may produce a more accurate projection. If you choose Simplified, you will first see a dialog like figure 4.24.
Enter the average expected direct costs that are paid in the form of cash for each breeding animal in the cow-calf enterprise for the year following the inventory. This could be calculated as the total of all cow-calf enterprise cash direct costs divided by the average total number of bulls, mature cows, H2's, H1's, H0's and weaned replacement heifers.
Next enter the average expected non-cash direct costs for each breeding animal in the cow-calf enterprise for the year following the inventory. This could be calculated as the total of all cow-calf enterprise non-cash direct costs, excluding the opportunity cost of investing in these cattle which is automatically calculated and included by Ranch Vision, divided by the average total number of bulls, mature cows, H2's, H1's, H0's and weaned replacement heifers. (See Opportunity Costs, page 188).
Finally indicate if either the cash or non-cash direct costs listed include grazing fees for bulls, H1's, H0's or weaned replacement heifers. Ranch Vision uses that information when calculating replacement heifer costs. (See Replacement Costs, page 196).
If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed, this dialog will appear "grayed out" and should be ignored.
If instead of Simplified you chose the Detailed sub-menu, you would first see a dialog like figure 4.25. This dialog permits a detailed listing of the direct costs for the breeding animals within the cow-calf enterprise. First enter the average expected cash direct costs for each bull, mature cow, H2, H1, H0 and weaned replacement heifer for the year following the inventory. This is calculated by dividing the cash direct costs for a particular type of cattle during the year by the average number of that type of cattle.
Secondly enter the average expected direct costs that are not paid in the form of cash for bulls, mature cows, H2's, H1's, H0's and weaned replacement heifers for the year following the inventory. This is calculated by dividing the non-cash direct costs for a particular type of cattle during the year, excluding the opportunity cost of investing in these cattle which is automatically calculated and included by Ranch Vision, by the average number of that type of cattle. (See Opportunity Costs, page 188).
Finally for the bulls, H1's, H0's and weaned replacement heifers indicate if either the cash or non-cash direct costs listed include grazing fees. Ranch Vision uses this information when calculating replacement heifer costs. (See Replacement Costs, page 196).
If cows first calve at two years of age the questions regarding H0's will appear "grayed out." If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed, this dialog will appear "grayed out." Ignore all "grayed out" areas.
Ranch Vision calculates using the last Direct Costs sub-menu in which you selected the Done button.
When you are ready to go on, choose the More button. A second dialog like figure 4.26 will appear. This dialog requests information about the direct costs for the various stocker enterprises. For each enterprise being analyzed enter the average expected cash direct costs per head during the time the cattle are in that enterprise. Also enter the average expected non-cash direct costs per head, excluding the opportunity cost of investing in these cattle which is automatically calculated and included by Ranch Vision, during the time the cattle are in that enterprise. (See opportunity costs, page 188).
Finally indicate if either the cash or non-cash direct costs listed include grazing fees. Ranch Vision uses this information when calculating break-even values. (See Break-Even Values, page 42)
If a cow-calf enterprise is not being analyzed, then questions concerning retained stockers will appear "grayed out." If acquired stocker enterprises are not being analyzed then questions concerning acquired stockers will appear "grayed out." If stocker enterprises are not being analyzed this entire dialog will appear "grayed out." Please ignore all "grayed out" questions.
All numbers entered in the Direct Costs dialogs should be greater than or equal to zero. Ranch Vision assumes blank spaces are zero.
If at any point you need additional information about the questions being asked in a dialog, click on the Help button on the dialog box. The cursor will take the appearance of a question mark (?). You may then move the cursor to any part of the screen you wish to know more about and click on it. A Help window will appear that will give additional information about that subject. For additional assistance using the Help system see page 5. You may also select Glossary in the Help or see the Glossary at the back of the manual for help with definitions of terms.
If you wish to cancel changes made to a dialog choose Cancel, and the questions will return to their previous answers.When you have answered all of the relevant questions in each of the dialogs select the Done buttons. You will then return to the main menu.
