Assessing best management practice adoption by pasture-based beef producers: The Whole Herd Beef Risk Index

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to develop an adaptable index of herd-level risk, the Whole Herd Beef Risk Index (WHBRI), based on implementation of 14 selected best management practices (BMP) for the management of cows and calves on an operation and to pilot it using an online survey of beef producers. We developed the WHBRI by assigning weights to each BMP, indicating high, medium, and low effects on reducing risk of a major herd event that could affect some or all herd members negatively, animal welfare, and animal performance and may carry implications for operation viability. We employed the WHBRI with a sample of US cattle producers in an online survey. We estimated Tobit models to test relationships between WHBRI scores and demographics of the operation and primary operator. Our sample consisted of 58% mid-risk, 24% low-risk, and 19% high-risk producers. We found that riskier WHBRI scores occurred when an operation had a primary operator 65+ yr old ( P < 0.05), had a herd of <50 head ( P < 0.01), marketed cattle with only conventional claims ( P < 0.01), or sold primarily at local auctions ( P < 0.01). Less risky WHBRI scores occurred when primary operators had 35+ yr of experience ( P < 0.05) or the operation included a seed stock enterprise ( P < 0.05). The WHBRI is a guide for extension personnel and producers for evaluating herd-level risk and will empower managers to assess and implement BMP. The index is customizable to reflect differences in BMP from unique regional or operational characteristics.