Cattle-Fax data compiled during the period from 1986 to 2006 revealed there is considerable variation in cow-calf producer returns. The top one-third of producers generated an average return of $89.19 per head on a cash cost basis. The lower one-third of producers showed a loss of $29.56 per head. The middle one-third of producers were essentially in a breakeven business, generating a small per head profit. It was noted that an important difference between profitable and unprofitable producers was lower cow costs on the part of profitable producers (SOURCE: Cattle-Fax Update).