Effects of Holstein and beef-dairy cross breed description on the sale price of feeder and weaned calf lots sold through video auctions

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to determine 1) the value of Holstein feeder steer lots compared with steer lots of other breed descriptions, 2) the value of beef-dairy cross weaned steer calves compared with either Holstein weaned calves or weaned calves of other breed descriptions, and 3) the value of beef-dairy cross weaned steers and heifers compared with weaned steers and heifers of other beef breed descriptions sold through video auctions. Materials and Methods: Data on 14,075 feeder steer lots sold in 211 auctions from 2010 through 2018, 763 weaned steer calf lots, and 1,125 weaned steer and heifer calf lots sold via 7 auctions in 2020 and 2021 were used. Separate multiple-regression models using backward selection were developed for feeder cattle, weaned steer, and weaned steer and heifer calf lots. The 5 breed group categories used were English-English crossed, English-Continental crossed, Brahman influenced, Holstein, and beef-dairy crossed (weaned calves). Results and Discussion: Breed description of feeder steer, weaned steer calf, and weaned steer and heifer calf lots affected sale price (P < 0.0001). Among feeder steer lots, Holsteins sold for the lowest (P < 0.05) sale price ($110.56/45.36 kg of BW) compared with all other breed groups. Among weaned steer calves, beef-dairy crossed lots sold for the second lowest (P < 0.05) price ($147.62/45.36 kg of BW), though greater than Holsteins. Among weaned steer and heifer calves, beef-dairy crosses sold for less than (P < 0.05; $136.39/45.36 kg of BW) all other breed groups. Implications and Applications: Beef-dairy crosses have a greater value prospect than Holstein steers in the beef supply chain.