Understanding the true cost of production is essential to making informed decisions in today’s cattle business. Whether you're raising replacement heifers, backgrounding calves, or evaluating whether to retain or sell at weaning, the Agricultural Budget Calculator (ABC) now has you covered.
Recently launched by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability, the new livestock module in the ABC program gives producers the tools they need to build detailed cattle enterprise budgets. The tool allows users to assess economic performance based on either cash or total economic cost approaches—providing flexibility for different operations and decision-making styles.
“Producers can now create various budgets for cow-calf operations, backgrounding and finishing programs, and retained breeding stock,” says Glennis McClure, Extension Educator and Farm and Ranch Management Analyst. “It’s a practical tool that supports profitability planning and makes cost-of-production data more accessible.”
Customizable and Easy to Use
ABC is a free, web-based program designed with the end-user in mind. Producers can enter their production numbers, feeding programs, labor costs, and other relevant details to develop enterprise budgets tailored to their specific operations. The program calculates breakeven prices and returns and allows for side-by-side scenario comparisons—such as marketing weaned calves versus backgrounding them to heavier weights.
Crop enterprise budgeting has been a staple feature of ABC since its launch. Now, with livestock modules live, cattle producers can engage with the platform to support management decisions, planning conversations, and lender communications.
Learn More or Try It Yourself
The ABC tool is available at agbudget.unl.edu. Users can set up a free account and begin building budgets right away. For training resources and to register for upcoming workshops, visit cap.unl.edu/abc.
