Cattle-Fax® recently published its annual Cow-Calf and Stocker Survey, which was conducted in January, 2007. Following is a brief summary.

• Average cow-calf profit was down slightly in 2006 from the peak in 2005. However, it was the eighth year in a row in which the majority of the respondents were profitable. Profit on calves sold at weaning was $100 or more for 51% of producers, $25 to $100 for 35% of producers, and $25 or less for 14% of producers.

• Annual average cash cost to run a cow increased by $15/head, from $351 in 2005 to $366 in 2006.

• Feed costs accounted for approximately 62% of total cash costs at $226/cow.

• Operating costs which include labor, vet/medicine, interest expense (excluding land), and other supplies were $1/head lower than in 2005 at $136/head.

• An operation with an average cow cost of $366/head and a weaning percentage of 85% equates to a breakeven calf price of $78/cwt.

• Average steer weaning weight was 563 lb, which was 17 lb lower than in 2005, largely due to dry conditions and short forage supplies throughout a large portion of the U.S.