When it comes to making a decision on backgrounding calves, it’s important to look at all of the costs involved. Ted Nibourg, farm business management specialist with Alberta Agriculture, says at this time of year the profitability of backgrounding calves also comes into question. Nibourg says while high forage prices have dominated many discussions, focusing on just the feed costs can give the impression that backgrounding will be economically feasible this fall. He adds while feed costs are a major part of any production system, they are certainly not the only ones. Numerous other costs are involved, and risk management has to be considered as well.
Interview with Ted Nibourg (2:41 minutes) (1.22 Mb)
Source : Agriculture and Forestry