Exchange ratios assume that current stocking rates are proper.
Advantages of a yearling enterprise include eliminating the need to maintain the cow all winter, lower labor inputs, and a shorter period for carrying production loans. To convert a cow-calf operation to a yearling operation, choose a substitution or exchange ratio to allow for proper range use by the new class of livestock. There are subtle differences in behavior between yearling steers and cow-calf pairs in dietary selection, grazing patterns and forage consumption. The influence of these differences on exchange decisions are small, except in extreme cases. Steers eat plants similar to those eaten by cows and calves, so it is feasible to exchange steers for a cow-calf operation.