Impact of Categorizing Market Value and Gross Return of Calves Enrolled in the Arkansas Steer Feedout Program on Performance and Carcass Characteristics

摘要

The impact of categorizing market value into above (A) and below (B) average initial value upon feedyard arrival and gross return from feeding on calf performance and carcass characteristics was determined using results from the 2001, 2002, and 2003 Arkansas Steer Feedout program. The first letter (A or B) when presented in sets of two is the initial value category and the second is the gross return category The average initial value was 479 dollar, 490 dollar, and 584 dollar/head for the three years, respectively, and the average gross return above feedyard expenses was 491 dollar, 592 dollar, and 681 dollar/head for the 3 years, respectively. The percentage of cattle categorized by initial value and gross return and grouped A or B were 33.1, 15.8,17.4, and 33.7% for AA, AB, BA, and BB groups, respectively. Above average initial value cattle were 118 Ib heavier upon arrival (P < 0.001), but initial value per hundred-weight did not differ (P = 0.53). Cattle with above average initial value were characterized as being heavier muscled (P < 0.001), larger framed (P < 0.001) and containing a higher percentage of black coat colors (P = 0.03) and less than 25% Brahman influence (P = 0.04). The group also had heavier carcass weights (P < 0.001) and a higher percentage grade USDA choice (P = 0.03). Those calves with a below average initial value were more profitable (P < 0.001) than the calves with above average initial value, 88.27 dollar and 26.17 dollar/head net return, respectively. Calves with above average initial value as a whole were less profitable than below average initial value calves, likely as a result of over-valuing calves in the above average initial value group.