A Look at Cow-Calf Financial Conditions Post-Boom

Posted by David Widmar on August 22, 2016

by David A. Widmar

Fifty years from now, agricultural history books will likely devote a chapter to the recent run-up in commodity prices and farm income boom. While much attention has focused on corn and soybean production, cow-calf operators also experienced the historical financial conditions. As the industry begins transitioning away from the boom era, it’s worth pausing to reflect on recent conditions and financial drivers.

To do this, financial data collected and published by the Kansas Farm Management Association was utilized. While this summary of farm-level data is extremely valuable, these data are unfortunately not available for every state. The general trends of these Kansas data, however, are applicable and valid across most cow-calf operations and regions.

Contribution Margins

A key metric of an operation’s financial performance is the contribution margin; also known as the ‘return over variable costs’. Contribution margin is what producers have remaining after all variable costs are paid. Further, if the contribution margin is ample it is used to cover fixed costs – such as depreciation, taxes, interest, and unpaid operator labor – and generate an economic profit. In figure 1 the average contribution margins for cow-calf operations in Kansas are shown from 2001 to 2015.

At $576 per cow of contribution margin, 2014 is the most impressive data point on the graph. These levels were more than double previous record high of $218 per head reached in 2004. Also, 2014 levels were more than four times greater the 15 year average contribution margin of $122 per cow. For context, contribution margins of less than $100 per cow are quite common; occurring 8 out of the past 15 years.

In 2015, contribution margins were quite sobering at only $53 per cow. These levels represent a 91% decline from 2014 and the 5th lowest margin in the last 15 years.

In 2008 and 2009 cow-calf producers experienced extremely challenging financial conditions with negative contribution margins. To clarify, negative contribution margins reflect conditions in which revenues failed to cover 100% of variable costs; not even a portion fixed costs were covered. During this period, one could expect producers to limit herd expansion plans and potentially considering herd size reductions.

Cow-Calf financial conditions. Ag Trends. Agricultural Economic Insights

Figure 1. Contribution Margin of Cow-Calf Producers in Kansas (dollars per cow). 2001-2015. Data Source: Kansas Farm Management Association.

Revenues and Variable Costs

To understand the changes in contribution margins it is important to dig into revenues and variable costs (figure 2). From these data two important takeaways are clear.

First, total variable costs trended higher at a slow, but fairly consistent rate. On average, total variable costs increased at an annualized rate of 5.3%. Also, declines in total variable costs per cow happened only twice (2003 and 2004). The magnitude of these declines were very small at -1% and -3% respectively.

Second, as many would expect, revenue (per cow) cycles from periods of declining to periods of increasing. For instance, from 2005 to 2009 cow-calf producers experienced less revenue per cow each year. During this period, revenues declined by a total of 29%. From 2010 to 2014, however, revenue per cow trended higher each year.

While each of these points are by themselves interesting, it is the interaction of these two factors that is perhaps most noteworthy. Even with total revenue lower than variable costs (2008 and 2009), variable costs did not adjust lower. It wasn’t until revenue increased (2010) that producers returned to positive contribution margins. Put in other words, even in the face of tight margins, cow-calf producers, on average, were not able to adjust their cost structure lower. This will be an important fact to keep in mind in 2016 and beyond as the gap between revenue and variable costs tightens.

Cow-Calf Profitability. Ag Trends. Agricultural Economic Insights

Figure 2. Revenues and Variable Costs of Cow-Calf Producers in Kansas (dollars per cow). 2001-2015. Data Source: Kansas Farm Management Association.

Wrapping it up

During a favorable trend of revenues outpacing variable costs, cow-calf operators enjoyed impressive returns and profitability in 2014. In 2015 revenues dramatically decreased while variable costs increased. This left producers with significantly smaller contribution margins.

Over the last 15 years, variable costs have resisted significant declines. This will be important for producers to keep in mind in 2016 and 2017, especially if calf prices trend lower.

Finally, it’s difficult to image producers will be economically motivated to expand their cow herds should the environment of declining revenue, stubborn variable costs, and low contribution margins continue.

Interested in learning more? Follow the Agricultural Economic Insights’ Blog as we track and monitors these trends throughout the years.  Also, follow AEI on Twitter and Facebook.

This post was originally featured in the August 2016 issue of Progressive Cattleman.

Photo Source: Flickr/United Soybean Board

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