Nebraska Cow-calf Budgets: System Budgets for Cow Herds

a calf and its mother

The System Budgets for a Cow Herd is a budget template to analyze the costs and returns for a cow-calf producer. In addition to the breeding herd enterprise, it contains budget sheets to analyze calves that are retained past weaning.

The downloads below offer representative budgets for different regions of the state, with varying size herds and practices. These budget examples include the enterprises of wintering calves, grazing stockers, and feedlot placement. It also has a budget that analyzes feeding culled cows prior to their sale.

A blank cow-calf budget Excel template is provided or any of the Excel files can be downloaded for individual use. The figures contained in the budget examples are not necessarily current (dated) and therefore should be updated with current numbers, weights, prices, and expenses. They are to be used only as a guide for producers as they build their own enterprise budgets.

Each budget is available in two formats. The PDF version includes background information on how the budget was compiled, as well other considerations.

For more information, contact Glennis McClure, extension educator, at 402-472-0661 or gmcclure3@unl.edu.

TROUBLE DOWNLOADING? If your browser does not download the Excel file when clicking the icon in the table, right-click on it and select "Save Link As..." or "Download Linked File..." This will allow to you save the file to your computer and open it in Excel.

Representative Cow HerdPDF FormatExcel Format
Blank Cow-Calf Budget Template excel logo
The following budgets represent varying herd sizes and geographical regions of Nebraska and should only be used as a guide in preparing your own cow herd system budget. Some of the figures contained in the budget templates are most likely outdated. Current numbers, weights, prices, and expenses should be entered.
Central Nebraska (300 Cow Herd) pdf logo excel logo
Central Nebraska (600 Cow Herd) pdf logo excel logo
Northeast Nebraska (50 Cow Herd) pdf logo excel logo
Northeast Nebraska (200 Cow Herd) pdf logo excel logo
Nebraska Panhandle - South (75 Cow Herd) pdf logo excel logo
Nebraska Panhandle - North (400 Cow Herd) pdf logo excel logo
Southeast Nebraska (50 Cow Herd) pdf logo excel logo
Southeast Nebraska (120 Cow Herd) pdf logo excel logo
South Central (150 Cow Herd) pdf logo excel logo
Southwest Nebraska (300 Cow Herd) pdf logo excel logo