Profitability of beef-farm production systems in southern Ontario using linear programming as a maximization techniqu

This study evaluated two beef-farm production systems (an intensively managed pasture, IMP vs. an all-year round confinement system, AYC) based on two breeding-herd programs (medium and large frame) under Ontario conditions.;Three marketing alternatives for beef progeny were evaluated: (a) Weaned calves at approximately 200 days of age, (b) Early and late finished cattle at about 15 and 18 months of age respectively.;Four linear programming (LP) models were designed to incorporate different crop-feed production options, as well as the beef marketing alternatives to sell.;Seven different scenarios were evaluated to ascertain levels of profitability based on changes in beef and crop prices.;In general large frame cattle were more profitable than medium frame cattle. There were no differences in profitability between management programs (IMP vs AYC).;Beef-farm profitability (including crops and livestock) differences among production systems were small and non-significant. Net returns on a per cow basis were low and similar to actual reported returns for cow-calf operations in Ontario.