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2025 CattleFax Cow-Calf Survey - Brought to You by Crystalyx® and Sweetlix®

Introduction & Survey Questions

CattleFax is proud to present the 2025 Cow-Calf Survey, brought to you by Cystalyx® Brand Supplements and Sweetlix® Livestock Supplement System. The goal of the survey is to provide the industry, and more importantly, your operation with valuable information regarding industry benchmarks and trends. This is not possible without your participation so we sincerely thank you for your time.

This survey is directed towards cow-calf operations, both commercial and seedstock/purebred operations. Please answer the questions below if you own and/or manage a cow-calf operation of any size. If your operation has multiple calving seasons, please answer based on what you consider to be your primary herd or season in which the majority of your cowherd calves.

By completing the survey and submitting a valid email address, participants will be sent a copy of their answers, a results summary packet once the annual survey is complete, and be entered to win a $700 CattleFax voucher. Note that your answers are final once you click submit at the bottom of this page.
Please complete this survey by March 31, 2026. **All individual survey responses are confidential.**
1. Type of operation:
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5. What time range does 75% of your cowherd calve within (following the first calf)?
7. What was the weaning weight of your calves (at the time they were removed from the cow)?
8. What was your weaned calf crop percentage in 2025 (number of calves weaned divided by number of females exposed to a bull/AI from previous year)?
This question requires a valid percent format.
10. Did you wean your calves prior to shipment?
11. Did you retain ownership on any of your calves? Indicate the percentage of your calf crop that applies to the respective categories.
12. What was your gross income per calf (average of steers and heifers)? $4.00/lb. multiplied by 550 lbs equals $2,200/hd. If calves were not sold at weaning, enter the estimated value of your calves at time of weaning.
13. What form of marketing did you use on your calves? Include the percent of calves marketed for each respective category. Example: 60% of calves marketed via auction barn and 40% via direct trade in the spot market. (Total should equal 100)
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14. What was the average price paid for your bulls in 2025?
15. What was your estimated or figured cash cow costs in 2025? This does not include depreciation expenses or returns to unpaid labor and management.
16. What percentage of your cash cow costs did you allocate for the following categories in 2025? (Total must equal 100)
0 out of 100% Total
This question requires a valid currency format.
$/female per year
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$/female per year
19. Do you expect to calve more females in 2026 than 2025?
20. Do you expect to calve more females in 2027 than you will in 2026?
21. Do you participate in one or more of the following programs? Check all that apply.
22. When do you vaccinate your calf crop? Check all that apply.
23. What forms of risk management do you utilize? Check all that apply.
24. Throughout 2025, what was the percentage breakdown of your operation’s employees based on total hours worked? (Total must equal 100)
0 out of 100% Total
This question requires a valid number format.
employees
26. Is your operation enrolled in carbon credit markets or similar programs?
27. Are you, or is someone on your farm or ranch, Beef Quality Assurance certified?
If “yes”, have you explored the new Continuing Education (CE) platform for BQA certification renewal at BQA.org?
If “I have been in the past”, what are the primary reasons you have not re-certified?
If “I do not know”, have you previously heard of the Beef Quality Assurance program?
28. Do you use nutritional supplements (mineral, tubs, cubes, etc.) on your operation?
What type of nutritional supplements do you provide most often? Please rank in order of usage levels, highest to lowest. Order the items from the following list. First select an item with the spacebar to show a menu of possible ranking positions. Next, click a ranking position to order it in the ranked list. Note the menu will display more ordering options as you add items to the ranked list.
29. What are your primary production goals when providing a nutritional supplement? Rank by priority. Order the items from the following list. First select an item with the spacebar to show a menu of possible ranking positions. Next, click a ranking position to order it in the ranked list. Note the menu will display more ordering options as you add items to the ranked list.
30. What are your biggest challenges or concerns regarding cattle supplementation? Check all that apply.
31. What factors most influence your decision when selecting a nutritional supplement? Rank by importance. Order the items from the following list. First select an item with the spacebar to show a menu of possible ranking positions. Next, click a ranking position to order it in the ranked list. Note the menu will display more ordering options as you add items to the ranked list.
32. How do you typically get information to make decisions about cattle nutrition and supplementation? Check all that apply.
This question requires a valid email address.
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