Cross reference with rainfall data to determine management vs environmental improvements
Discussion
What do you mean? Wereve been in a drought every year I've been on this property
I was collecting the rainfall and snow data and compared to the weights on my lambs. It's hard to get accurate because there's just too many variables, but it helps get a sense of management improvement vs a better weather year.
Being data focused we realized the most profitable period to raise boilers was butchering in July or early fall. The cold and heat cost us about .5 pounds of more per bird (we charged by weight). So when we reduced our production numbers we targeted the best times for maximum productivity/profit.
I was also using a multiplier factor to compare singles, twins, triplets with consideration given for first time ewes, ewes in prime, and older ewes. It helped make breeder selection decisions especially when doing eye comparison wasn't enough.
I do none of this so far with cattle. The reproductive cycle is much longer and I have no real plans to sell breeders.