09/14/06 Quality makes a difference

Quality Makes A Difference I just read an interesting article about traits cattle buyers will or won't pay premiums for. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back right after this with some comments. A 2005 research study lead by University of Arkansas Extension Specialist, Tom Troxel, of nearly 106,000 cattle sold in Arkansas sale barns was the basis for the resulting facts. Well-muscled cattle received over two and- a- half dollars per hundredweight over the average, while the lightest muscled animals were discounted nearly $33.00/cwt. Small- framed cattle were likewise discounted more than medium or large framed calves. Bull calves sold at $6.00/cwt below steer calves of the same quality. Of course, overfull cattle were discounted, as were calves that were too fat. Cattle with health or physical problems were hit with decreases of $13.00 to $38.oo/cwt. One interesting aspect of the study showed that of ten categorized color patterns only four sold above average. They were yellow-white face, yellow, black-white face, and black. Larger groups of calves received a premium of about $5.00/cwt. I think this is because order buyers like the group uniformity. What validated this research for me was the fact this study was completed when calf supplies were tighter, but five years earlier the same results were shown when supplies were more plentiful. I think quality cattle and attention to marketing that quality will pay dividends at any time. I'm Jeff Keane. Beef August 2006