A comparison of methods to evaluate beef cow productivity

Abstract

The following were compared as measures of cow productivity: (A) calf weaning weight per mating opportunity; (B) calf weaning weight per mating opportunity with cow weight at weaning as a covariate; (C) calf weaning weight per mating opportunity per unit of cow weight at weaning; and (D) calf weaning weight per mating opportunity per cow metabolic weight (kg0.75) at weaning. Results indicate that the method described under (C) is best at reducing error followed closely by the method described under (D). The least satisfactory measure of cow productivity was (B). Key words: Beef cattle, cow efficiency, productivity