delivery and name, address and telephone number of the seller on the drive-in ticket. Total number of head delivered by the seller and the license number of the delivery truck are also recorded. Listed in the columns below this block of information are the back tag number of each animal, their description (color, breed, and sex), and any number applied at the ranch, such as an ear tag, tattoo or brand. Services requested by the seller are noted on the ticket as well. Upon completion the customer or truck driver is asked to sign the ticket.”
Vet station “At a customer’s request, cows can be preg-
nancy-tested and aged while at the vet station. Bulls can be tested for fertility,” Ronald says. “Each one of these tasks can add value to the animal and each customer needs to calculate whether it will be less costly to complete these management practices at home rather than paying our fees. Determine if the added value will pay the extra costs. In most cases it will, especially with today’s cattle prices and demand.” Every animal that leaves the Milano Livestock
Exchange has a USDA identifi cation ear tag with a recorded number. This provides traceability and adds value to the cattle. A health chart is completed for each group of animals that goes through the vet station. Each animal is identifi ed on the health chart by both their back and ear tag numbers. The breed and sex of each animal is also recorded. Months of pregnancy are written on the health
chart, and that number is also stamped on the cow’s side. The cow’s age is entered on the chart either as their age from 2 to 8, “solid,” “short and solid (SS)” or “broken mouth (XX).” A solid-mouth cow has all her teeth and they are in good condition. An animal with a full set of worn teeth is a short-and-solid-mouthed cow. A broken-mouth cow has teeth missing. “Tasks completed at the vet station usually add
value,” Steven says. “A certifi ed trichomoniasis-free, fertile bull will always sell for more money than an untested bull of equal quality and age class. “Values always start at what the animal is worth
for processing into beef. If an opportunity exists for someone to get a good return on their investment, then that animal will sell for a higher price. For example,
tscra.org
someone may buy a broken-mouth cow, known to be pregnant, to obtain the calf. A producer may buy an old cow at a higher value than slaughter prices if they know her teeth are good and she can continue to raise calves. Bred cows are worth more money than open cows because the breeding costs have been paid.” Not all livestock exchanges operate vet stations, so
they don’t all offer the same services offered by the Lastovicas.
Sale ring and business offi ce While cattle are in the auction ring, a clerk sitting
near the auctioneer writes the buyer’s number and the sales price on a weigh ticket. Cattle are weighed immediately after leaving the ring and their weight is automatically stamped on the weigh ticket. Some
July 2014 The Cattleman 67
Would your
animals have sold for a higher total value if they had been lighter or heavier?
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