Simulation of cow-calf production systems in a range environment: I. Model development

A mathematical computer model of beef cattle production systems was developed at Montana State University. The objective of this report was to describe the rationale and procedures used to simulate animal and system performance. The model was designed to simulate the dynamic relationships among cattle genotype, physiological state, forage quality, and management in range environments. Forage intake, energy and protein metabolism, growth, reproduction, lactation, and changes in chemical body composition are simulated for individual animals over complete life cycles. Expenses driven by animal performance, management decisions, and land resources are tabulated. Several biological and economic measures of system performance can be computed, including ratios of inputs (e.g., DM, CP, ME, dollars) to outputs (e.g., weight, lean), break even prices, and annual gross margin per cow or ranch. Primary uses of the model include the evaluation of system responses to changes in breeding strategies and management in range production/marketing systems.