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-Stocking rate and by implication, grass conversion efficiency, is the most important factor and by far the most important determinant of profitability and return on capital and will improve veld condition and eliminate selective grazing. Stocking rate can be drastically increased via time-controlled non-selective grazing and high animal impact. \\
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-Fertility, as determined by inherent body condition and hormonal balance, is by far the most important traits required by cattle.\\
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-Carcase quality is of minor importance in relation to overall ranch profitability.
-Non-selective grazing, without a doubt, has a negative effect on body condition.  This, in turn, negatively affects cow fertility which is the most important trait determining profit.  These contradictions have to be regarded as challenges, rather than problems, and addressed accordingly – See 5. Management Measures.
-Not many ranchers appreciate the high marginal reaction that accrues from extra labour and/or technology.  This would definitely solve the challenge in regard to frequent daily moves and body condition.
-Utilising smaller camps without adding any animal numbers to your farm does not increase your stocking rate. You will still have the same number of animals on your farm. You are just utilising your grass better. This, however, will probably result in having too much grass after one year and result in you having to burn it if you are in the sour-veldt region.  All this is to ensure that you have any form of nutrition for the animals.
-Buying in animals can be done, but adaption takes time, and this will not necessarily address your fertility problem.
-Building your herd organically, and correcting genetics so that the mother animals can give you a calve from the age of two years and then annually after that, and wean that calve between 42% and 50% of her body weight, will be more profitable in the long run.
-Selling a cow only needs to be done because of age and for cash flow reasons. Alternatively her calves can be used to increase the stocking rate. There are, however, certain criteria that the cow must fulfil for you to use her bull calves for your herd improvement, and weaning weight is not one of them.
-As far as the profit drivers of beef farming is concerned, stocking rate is the highest profit driver, then fertility and then growth. Both stocking rate and growth have a negative influence on fertility. It is always a balance between these three components to become profitable. It does not help to have a high stocking rate and a low conception rate, nor having a high conception rate but not enough animals. The problem with weaning weight is that they are no indication of profitability either.

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