make a truckload lot, those high-value calves will just be mixed into the pool and buyers will be less likely to pay what they’re worth.” Because buyers are looking for uniformity, produc-


ers should also concentrate on producing cattle that are within the norms for their particular area, Swigert says. For instance, in an area where Angus cattle are the norm, spotted calves, regardless of their conforma- tion and health, will be considered as outliers, he says. “Generally, outliers aren’t rewarded by the market,”


he says. Finally, the preconditioning period can shift the


marketing window, putting cattle into the marketplace when it’s not as crowded. “If a producer has a spring herd, holding those calves


for an additional 45 days to 60 days puts the cattle in the market during the late fall, when supplies are his- torically lower and prices higher, instead of October, when supplies are higher and prices lower,” Wells says. Preconditioning can be economically benefi cial,


even if market conditions change. “The goal for preconditioning is at least 45 days, but


if the market turns against a producer at 30 days, he can still get paid for not having a ‘bawling calf’ and


for minimizing shrink,” Wells says. In fact, producers can begin to see a return on preconditioning invest- ment in as little as 2 weeks, although that time frame is not ideal, he says.


Replacement heifers With the current market conditions, many people


are considering retaining ownership of their heifers either to return them to the herd or to send them to the market place. There are several key factors producers should consider when making this decision. “When the cattle inventory is in a rebuilding phase,


the temptation is to use everything with a functioning uterus,” Wells says. “In the long-term, this dilutes the quality of the herd.” The biggest cost of retaining a heifer is the calf cost,


Preconditioning creates a premium product for


which savvy buyers are willing to pay.


Raywood Livestock Market, Inc.


“From the Coast to the Pines”


Sale Every Monday ★ Starting at 12:00 p.m. Brand new facility in Raywood, Texas


Offi ce: 936-587-4941 John Brett 936-587-9941 Owner


Kory Brett c/o Owner


Fax: 936-587-4083 936-334-5067 936-334-6628


We are also dealers of Fairwest Trailers. Call us for your trailer needs. www.raywoodlivestock.com


tscra.org July 2015 The Cattleman 53


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