Economic values for two reproductive traits, percentage of heifers pregnant at 14 months of age (PP14) and stayability (HP), were estimated using simulated bioeconomic modeling data for a cow-calf production system. Changes in HP were modeled as decreases in percentage of annual culling of cows. The economic value of PP14 was R$695.97 per one unit increase in percentage of heifers pregnant at 14 months of age, while the economic value of HP varied according to the simulated cost of replacement heifers. Economic values per unit decrease in cow culling percentage were R$-2,140.00, R$-140.00 and R$2,860.00 for heifer prices of R$500, R$700 and R$1,000, respectively. Economic values for HP were negative when the salvage value of a cull cow was higher than the cost of a replacement heifer. Thus higher investment for replacement heifers increases the importance of stayability in a cattle herd.
beef cattle; reproductive trait; bioeconomic model
