Cattle Baron Master Business Plan — Key Performance Indicators

The reproduction, mortality, weight and financial indicators monitored per season, with thresholds that trigger intervention.

Key Performance Indicators

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The following are recorded on the day they occur and reviewed monthly. Three of them — weaning percentage, cow mortality and complete records — are gate conditions, and every funder in Section 12 will ask for them.

Indicator

Definition

Target

Why it matters

Breeding cows

Cows in the herd at year end

450 by Year 5

The engine; everything scales from it

Weaning percentage

Calves weaned ÷ cows mated

79.8% by Year 5

One point is worth R53 000 a year at Year 5 scale

Calving percentage

Calves born ÷ cows mated

84% by Year 5

Bull fertility, cow condition and a controlled season

Calf mortality to weaning

Calves lost ÷ calves born

Below 5%

The gap between calving and weaning percentage

Cow mortality

Cows lost ÷ cows held

Below 3%

Each cow lost is a breeding unit, not a sale

Cash EBITDA

EBITDA less non-cash herd growth

Positive from Year 5

The number that pays the bank

Weaner weight at sale

Average kilograms per weaner

242 kg by Year 5

Ten kilograms is worth R126 000 at Year 5 volumes

Grazing utilisation

Large stock units against assessed capacity

Below 85%

Confirmed in writing before every expansion

Biosecurity incidents

Confirmed disease introductions

Zero

A quarantine order stops sales, not just profit

Debt service cover

Cash EBITDA ÷ interest and scheduled capital

Above 1.00x from Year 6

Negative until Year 5 by construction

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