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Calcimator

Genomic Testing ROI Calculator

Estimate the return on investment from genomic testing breeding stock, accounting for EPD accuracy improvement, selection decisions, and genetic value in progeny.

Inputs

$
%
$
%

Results

Return on investment

-47%

Net benefit-$1,050.00
Total testing cost$2,250.00
Animals retained40
Value added per calf$6.00
Total progeny benefiting200
Total genetic value$1,200.00
Annualized benefit-$210.00
Value Per Dollar0.53
Breakeven Progeny375
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Animals to test, Test cost per head ($), and Cull rate from results (%).
  2. Set Avg progeny per retained animal, Weaning wt EPD gain (lbs), and Calf value per lb ($).
  3. Adjust Accuracy improvement (%), Years to realize value as needed.
  4. Review the Return on investment (%) result.
  5. Use Net benefit ($) and Total testing cost ($) to inform your decision.

How the result changes with Test cost per head ($)

Test cost per head ($)Return on investment
50-52%
175-86%
325-93%
450-95%

What each input means

Animals to test
Number of breeding candidates to genomic test.
Test cost per head ($)
Cost per genomic test (e.g., GeneSeek, Zoetis).
Cull rate from results (%)
Percentage of tested animals culled based on genomic results.
Avg progeny per retained animal
Expected number of calves per retained animal over their productive life.
Weaning wt EPD gain (lbs)
Expected improvement in weaning weight EPD from better selection.
Calf value per lb ($)
Current market value per pound of weaned calf.
Accuracy improvement (%)
EPD accuracy improvement from genomics (typically 20-40%).
Years to realize value
Timeframe over which genetic improvement generates returns.

What each result means

Return on investment
Total ROI from genomic testing investment.
Net benefit
Total genetic value minus testing cost.
Total testing cost
Cost to test all candidate animals.
Animals retained
Number of animals kept after genomic-informed culling.
Value added per calf
Additional value per calf from improved weaning weight genetics.
Total progeny benefiting
Total calves that benefit from improved genetics.
Total genetic value
Total economic value of genetic improvement across all progeny.
Annualized benefit
Net benefit averaged per year.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Animals to test = 50, Test cost per head ($) = 45, Cull rate from results (%) = 20, Avg progeny per retained animal = 5 = 8 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Return on investment
    -47 = -47%
  3. Calculate Net benefit
    Net benefit = totalGeneticValue - totalTestCost
    -1050 = $-1,050
  4. Calculate Total testing cost
    Total testing cost = numAnimalsToTest * testCostPerHead
    2250 = $2,250

Engine last updated . Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.

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