Feeder Calf Grades: Do Better Grades Really Pay? David Gonsoulin

Feeder Calf Grades: Do Better Grades Really Pay?

• David Gonsoulin

• USDA

What is a Number 1 Calf?

• I Do not know how to describe it, but when I see one, I know it.

• It has to be a good doing calf.

• It has to be a black hided, stand up, big boned, straight backed type animal.

• It has to be Medium to Large Frame with thick muscle.

• If it fits the order, it will do.

Number 1?

Is this a Number 1?

Is this a Number 1?

Are these 1 ½?

Do I Get Paid For What I Have?

Current Feeder Cattle Grades 1979 -2006

• Frame Size

• Muscle Score

• Thriftiness

Frame Size

• Refers to the animals skeletal size –

• Height and body length—in relation to its age.

• Thus frame size evaluations are related to differences in mature size.

• Refers to weight (under normal feeding and management conditions) an animal will produce a carcass which will grade Choice.

Evaluating Frame Size

What are the Frame Sizes?

• Large

• Medium

• Small

Large Frame

• Large Frame cattle are thrifty, tall and long bodied for their age.

• Steers grade Choice at weights greater than 1250 lbs.

• Heifers greater than 1150 lbs

Large Frame

Medium Frame

• Medium Frame cattle are thrifty, are slightly tall and have slightly long bodies.

• Steers grade Choice between 1100 lbs and 1250 lbs.

• Heifers grade Choice between 1000 lbs and 1150 lbs

Medium Frame

Small Frame

• Small Frame cattle are thrifty, and not as

• tall or long bodied as the Medium Frame animal

• Steers grade Choice below 1100 lbs.

• Heifers grade Choice below 1000 lbs

Small Frame

Frame Steers Heifers

• Large 1250 lbs 1150 Lbs

• Medium 1100 lbs 1000 lbs

• Small under 1100 lbs 1000 lbs

What do buyers pay for? Summary of Sale Barns

Muscle Score Thickness

• Thickness refers to the development of the muscle system in relation to skeletal size.

• Thicker feeder cattle will have a higher ratio of muscle to bone when fed to the same degree of fatness and will have higher yield grades.

Muscle Grades

• #1

• #2

• #3

• #4

# 1 Muscle

Average #2

Possible Feeder Cattle Grades

• Large Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4

• Medium Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4

• Small Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4

• Inferior – This grade will include sick unthrifty cattle and double muscled cattle due to their inability to Quality grade.

Prices for Muscle

Thrifty/Healthy

Feeder Cattle Value Determining Factors

Does Color Make A Difference? Arkansas Extension 2005

Other Factors

Throw It All Together

• You have a Small Frame, Number 3 Muscle, Full, Red Calf with Horns.

• Small (-16.55) Number 3 (-21.08), Full

• (-8.05), Red Calf (-4.18) with Horns (-3.23)

• Total -53.09

David Gonsoulin

• USDA, Livestock & Grain Market News