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The [Breedcow and Dynama] software is used to assess choices for the management of beef cattle herds run under extensive conditions. It is not an accounting package or a paddock records package and does not record individual animals. It presents budgeting processes, adapted to the special needs of extensive beef producers. Breedcow and Dynama programs are based on four budgeting processes:

• Comparing the likely profitability of the herd under different management or turnoff systems. (Breedcow+ program)
• Making forward projections of stock numbers, sales, cash flow, net income, debt and net worth. (Dynama+ program)
• Deciding what to sell when the plan goes sour or what to buy when there is an opportunity. (Bullocks, Dry Cattle Trading and Cowtrade programs)
• Evaluating investments in herd or property improvement to determine the rate of return on extra capital, the number of years to breakeven and the peak debt. (Investan program)

In short, Breedcowplus is a steady state herd model that generates its own structure around a starting number of weaner heifers retained and Dynama+ program is a ten year herd budgeting program that usually starts with the current herd numbers and structure. The term “herd budgeting” is used to emphasise the central role of herd dynamics in cattle enterprise budgeting.

A summary of the components

Cowtrade

The Cowtrade program is often used when seasons and prices are out of line with long term expectations. It can be used to set sales priorities when drought or financial crisis requires abnormal sales. Cowtrade can also be used to assess breeder purchase options.

Splitsal

Splitsal is a program to provide estimates of numbers (and average weights) above and below a certain cut-off weight, when mob average weight and range of weights are known. This can be used for male turnoff over two seasons or for estimating numbers and weights from the tail or lead of a group of heifers or steers.