OPTIMAL REPLACEMENT AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES FOR BEEF-COWS

Beef cow replacement studies have not reflected the interaction betwee n herd management and the culling decision. We demonstrate techniques for modeling optimal beef cow replacement intervals and discrete manag ement policies by incorporating the dynamic effects of management on f uture productivity when biological response is uncertain. Markovian de cision analysis is used to identify optimal beef cow management on a r anch typical of the Sandhills region of Nebraska. Issues of breeding s eason length, winter nutrition, and replacement are investigated. Resu lts illustrate the importance of nutrition management in the replaceme nt decision.