XH Land and Cattle: Uncovering ranch profitability and productivity with data

When John Bucholz returned to his family’s ranch in 2020, he had a clear vision for its future. However, one major obstacle stood in his way: the ranch’s traditional data collection methods. For years, records were kept in notebooks to track animal weights, calving data, and grazing rotations.

It didn’t take long for John to see the lack of visibility pen and paper records provided. He struggled to identify which animals best fit his management style or which pastures supported his grazing methodology best.

It was clear the ranch’s record keeping practices needed an upgrade. After a frustrating trial with a web-only record keeping software, John found the perfect fit with AgriWebb’s offline-compatible app and web-based livestock management platform that also integrated seamlessly with the technology he used to weigh his animals.

“Since I became an AgriWebb user, I have never passed up on an opportunity to take accurate weight measures of anything that comes across our scale,” John said.  “It is simply too easy not to take advantage of the live session feature and Tru-Test compatibility.”

The shift in record-keeping wasn’t the only change. John’s business strategy evolved, too. Before adopting AgriWebb, he focused primarily on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as weaning weights, believing that bigger calves meant bigger profits.

However, after analyzing various reports, he uncovered inefficiencies in his approach. With AgriWebb’s insights, John adjusted his management strategy—expanding his mature cow herd while reducing the average size of each animal (1,200lbs). He also introduced genetics aimed at producing smaller, more resource-efficient calves (42% weaned calf weight relative to mature body weight). 

These changes, powered by better data and informed decision-making, allowed John to improve herd efficiency, increase calving success, and optimize resource allocation. The result? A more resilient operation with higher cash flow, leading to a more profitable ranch.

Key improvements

Maternal herd optimization:

• Teat and Udder Conformance: Using AgriWebb’s live session feature, John says it’s easier than ever to score cows during calving, prioritizing dam traits that promote calf survival in Wyoming’s harsh weather.
• Mature cow efficiency: By collecting weight data through AgriWebb’s Tru-Test integration, John has reduced the herd’s average mature cow weight by 20 lbs (2023–2024). The percentage of weaned calf weight relative to mature body weight currently sits at 42%, with a target of 50%.

Terminal herd development:

• Crossbreeding and calf performance: Across his ranch, John uses a combination of AgriWebb’s mapping and grazing features and animal insights to manage multiple breeding groups and pasture rotations. The terminal herd now includes Simmental-influenced calves, leveraging heterosis for growth and efficiency.
• Improved weaning weights: From 2022 to 2024, steer weaning weights improved by nearly 75 lbs.

Reduction in feed costs during winter grazing

• Comparing 2023 to 2024 at year’s-end, John fed 226 fewer bales, representing a 76% reduction in feed costs and a 62% reduction in harvest costs since the ranch deferred harvesting nearly 35% of hay meadows for grazing instead, significantly boosting cash flow.
• John notes regarding the reduction in feed costs is that developing stock greatly benefit from this from a cost basis standpoint as they are accruing fewer costs from allocated feed, fuel, and labor thereby ultimately lowering their depreciable basis.

Notable Results

• Reduced average mature cow weight, with a goal of achieving 1,200 lbs.
• Increased calf crop efficiency, targeting higher $/lb returns by producing a higher quantity of smaller, more resource-efficient calves to fill trucks vs. fewer larger calves.
• Substantial improvements in terminal herd weaning weights and capacity that have taken herds historically producing one full load of calves to market annually into three full loads.

Tools driving success

John credits AgriWebb’s chute-side data collection feature for seamless data recording, feed allocation tools for financial insights, and mapping for effective herd and pasture management. These tools have empowered him to make data-driven decisions, advancing both productivity and profitability.