How old/mature are my cows? The age and maturity of cows
affects their grade, which contrib- utes directly to their value, Homeyer says. Carcasses from cows or bulls
over 42 months old are eligible for quality grades of Commercial, Util- ity, Cutter and Canner. In general, the older the animal the more fat covering is necessary to achieve a given quality level. In practicality, though, very few cows are graded for quality or yield. Instead, cull cow buyers attempt to value mus- cling and fat cover separately at auctions. The cows at auction are designat-
ed by estimated red meat yield and dressing percentage. The categories reported by the AMS are: Breakers (red meat yield of 75 to 80 percent, which is processed into various
cuts); Boners (red meat yield of 80 to 85 percent, which produces some merchandisable cuts, with the rest used for ground beef); Lean (red meat yield of 85 to 90 percent, with the majority of the carcass used for ground beef); and Light (red meat yield of 70 percent to 90 percent, but because of size, lack of muscle or thinness produces fewer pounds of meat). In general, cull cow prices in-
crease as marketing classifi cation increases. With that said, over-fat cows are docked, Homeyer says, so the key is striking the right bal- ance and not selling cows that are either too fat or too thin. Young cows have a greater potential for an improved carcass grade and less risk of becoming over-fat; therefore, if a producer is considering a feed lot situation, younger cows gener- ally can be fed more profi tably than
Livestock Co. “Where Live Competitive Bidding
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979-732-2622 Needville
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HAULING ALSO AVAILABLE Come See the Diff erence at Columbus Livestock 30 The Cattleman July 2013 Pen Hours:
979-357-2404 Receiving
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older cows. The current grading system has
two classifi cations: youthful and mature. The age of a cow carcass is determined physiologically by the degree of calcium deposition in the bone and the presence of blood in the bone, not by chronological age. Youthful cows can be diffi cult to identify on a live weight basis, so experienced cattle buyers are likely to assume the cow is mature and pay accordingly, Homeyer says.
What is the cost and availability of feed? The overall economic viability
of feeding cull cows depends on the cost of feeding them relative to the increased value, Homeyer says. Cull cows are fl exible and can
utilize a wide variety of feeds over a wide range of feed qualities, so they may offer a good opportunity to use
The New GAINESVILLE LIVESTOCK AUCTION LLC
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940-665-4367 offi ce 940-668-6056 fax Bonded and Insured
We’re here for all your cattle needs
including “Redbone” Livestock Order Buying. Ask about “Redbone’s” vaccination program –
you pay for the medicine ($8/hd.) and the labor is FREE.
www.gainesvillelivestock.info
Hogs-Goats-Sheep Sale Every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.
Receiving stations at: Muenster, Texas Nocona, Texas Pilot Point, Texas Kingston, Oklahoma
Owned and Operated by James “Redbone” Peyrot, Jr. 940-727-3495 cell
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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