Chapa, Beef Cow/Calf Health And Productivity Audit, Part V: Quality Assurance Profile

As part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS ), USDA:APHIS:Veterinary Services conducted a national study of beef production, the Beef Cow/Calf Health and Productivity Audit (CHAPA). This study was designed to provide both participants and the industry with information on cow/calf health, productivity, and management practices. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) collaborated with USDA:APHIS:VS to select a producer sample that was statistically designed to provide inferences about the nation's cow/calf population. Data for Part V: Quality Assurance Profile were collected by federal and state veterinary officers (VMO's) in 18 of the largest cow/calf producing states between January 1 and January 31, 1994. The average weaning weight of calves weaned in 1993 was 504 pounds; the average value was $467.34. For breeding-age females, the average weight was 1024 pounds; the average value was $577.86. For breeding-age bulls, the average weight was 1430 pounds; the average value was $1137.06. Thirty-three percent of breeding-age females were sold due to pregnancy status; twenty-one percent were sold due to age or bad teeth. Forty-five percent of calves weaned between July 1 and December 31 were sold during 1993. Thirty-three percent of calves were kept to graze or feed. Seven percent of calves under 3 weeks old were affected by scours. Seven percent of the 1993 calf crop died or was lost. The largest number of calves were lost to calving problems, followed by weather (32 and 22 percent, respectively). The health conditions that the greatest number of producers agreed had a significant economic impact on cow/calf operations included external and internal parasites (21 and 19 percent of producers, respectively). Contact for this paper: David Dargatz