Factors associated with selling price of cattle at livestock marts

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with selling price of animals at livestock marts around Ireland. Data consisted of four distinct maturity categories: calves (2 to 84 days of age, n 5 53 838); weanlings (6 to 12 months of age, n 5 19 972); post-weanlings (12 to 36 months of age, n 5 93 081) and cows (.30 months to 12 years of age, n 5 94 839); sold through livestock marts between 2000 and 2008. Factors associated with animal price were determined within each maturity category separately using mixed models; random effects were mart, date of sale nested within mart, and herd of origin nested within year of sale. Mean selling price was h157, h580, h655 and h592 for calves, weanlings, post-weanlings and cows, respectively. The greatest prices were paid for singleton crossbred male calves, weanlings and post-weanlings from older dams. With the exception of the Aberdeen Angus, beef breeds and their crosses consistently received higher prices than their dairy counterparts across all four maturity categories; increased proportion of Belgian Blue and Charolais was associated with greater prices compared with other beef breeds. When live-weight was included in the multiple regression models the association between price and all factors regressed toward zero but most factors remained associated with price. The highest price was recorded in the spring months for calves, post-weanlings and cows, and in the autumn months for weanlings. Results from this study may be used to help farmers make more informed management decisions, as well as provide information for bio-economic models for evaluating alternative production systems or estimating economic values.

Genetic relationships between carcass cut weights predicted from video image analysis and other performance traits in cattle

“…Animal market price A total of 4 207 051 animal market price records (overall animal price rather than price per kg) from 3 552 089 animals sold at 74 livestock auctions in Ireland between the years The data were divided into three distinct maturity categories as described in detail by McHugh et al (2010): calves, weanlings and post-weanlings. The edits implemented were those described by McHugh et al (2010).…”

“…The edits implemented were those described by McHugh et al (2010). Calves were defined as animals born from dairy cows (i.e.…”

“…This indicates that purchasers' preference at auction is still based on potential carcass return, but could be more influenced by other factors like purchasing replacement cattle. The majority of calves are sold at livestock auctions before compulsory health testing at 42 days of age (McHugh et al, 2010). Nonetheless, calf price, although limited to progeny from dairy cows and thus influencing primarily the estimated breeding values of sires (or their relatives) used on dairy cows is nonetheless a very useful early predictor trait of carcass cut yields especially since these data are available at no additional cost.…”

Body traits, carcass characteristics and price of cull cows as affected by farm type, breed, age and calving to culling interval

“…Moreover, the value of carcasses from culled cows has been seldom taken into account. McHugh et al (2010) investigated several factors associated with the price of cows sold at livestock marts in Ireland, but did not provide any information on the live animals characteristics, dressing percentage (DP) and slaughter performance. Bazzoli et al (2014) studied the effects of breed and age on the CW and value of slaughtered cows, but did not consider any live animal traits.…”

Factors affecting the selling prices of calves in auctions in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

“…In agreement, studies reported that higher valuations are reached using particular genetic groups (Halfman et al, 2009;McHugh et al, 2010;Koetz Junior et al, 2014). However, Barham and Troxel (2007) reported that no specific breed or breed type was marketed for higher prices and the superiority of a given group is dependent on the region where the sale occurred and the future prices for the coming years.…”