Nebraska Cow-calf Budgets: System Budgets for Cow Herds
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 Herd | PDF Format | Excel Format |
|---|---|---|
| Blank Cow-Calf Budget Template |  | |
| 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 Some of the figures contained in the budget templates are most likely outdated.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) |  | |
| Central Nebraska (600 Cow Herd) |
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| Northeast Nebraska (50 Cow Herd) | |
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| Northeast Nebraska (200 Cow Herd) | | |
| Nebraska Panhandle - South (75 Cow Herd) | | |
| Nebraska Panhandle - North (400 Cow Herd) | | |
| Southeast Nebraska (50 Cow Herd) | | |
| Southeast Nebraska (120 Cow Herd) | | |
| South Central (150 Cow Herd) | | |
| Southwest Nebraska (300 Cow Herd) | | |