ADDING VALUE TO YOUR CATTLE:The ABC’s of Marketing Your

Cattle

Export Premiums Prior to 2003 nearly ALL tongues went to

Japan at >$5/lb premium (today $4.56/ lb in JP; $2.12/lb in US)

Short ribs/plates from ALL cattle (today ~ 30%)

Export premiums would add $20-35/ head in value

EXPANDED ACCESS IN JAPAN

1.4 billion people Per-capita income (annual):

2000: $1,000 2008: $3,000 2020 (f): $8,500 Top 15% of population: $5,000+ (150 million)

Pork : 83#/capita (US : 60#/cap) Over 759 McDonald’s (Adding 100/ year)

CHINA POTENTIAL

According to BQA Guidelines cattle should be castrated and/or dehorned prior to 120 days of age or 500 lbs.

Recommended by American Veterinary Medical Association

Surgical is most commonly used method.

CASTRATING AND DEHORNING

Why is castration a common practice?

Castration reduces aggressiveness and sexual activity by lowering testosterone levels, and modifies carcass characteristics by decreasing the number of animals with a high muscle pH.

CASTRATING AND DEHORNING

Why is dehorning a common practice?

Dehorning reduces the risk of injury to those handling cattle as well as cattle themselves, for example transporting.

CASTRATING AND DEHORNING

Now, why should I do this?

On average bulls will be discounted $5-$8 cwt versus a steer at comparable weight

$8 cwt x 550 lbs = $44 per head

On average horned cattle will be discounted $2 cwt versus a polled animal at comparable weight

$2 cwt x 550 lbs = $11 per head

CASTRATING AND DEHORNING

VACCINATION PROGRAMS

WEANING PROGRAMS

GENETICS AND BREED INFLUENCE

DISPOSITION

DISPOSITION

MARKETING PROGRAMS

Sale Barn or Auction Sale Private Treaty Internet Auctions Video Auctions Retained Ownership

METHODS OF MARKETING

Weighing Conditions Shrink Commission Consignment Fees Details, Details, Details….

METHODS OF MARKETING

Shrink

550 550x 5% x 2%27.5 lbs 11 lbs

$160 cwt$44 less $17.6 = $26.40 per head

or $ 4.80 per cwt

METHODS OF MARKETING

THANKS