Maximizing Your Calf Crop's Value

With the fall markets looking very volatile, producers need to maximize the value of their calves.

Maximizing the value of your calves will bring the best bottom line. During volatile or low markets the discounts are very large on poorly prepared or off type calves. There will likely be a market for unvaccinated, unprocessed, light or tough looking calves. However the buyers of these types of cattle will only pay bargain basement prices to offset the risk involved with these calves. This is why it is important that you make the most of what you have.

Castrating and de-horning are basic requirements that take more time than money, but will give buyers two fewer reasons to discount your package of calves.

Proper vaccinating will require the cost of the vaccine and time, but again create a much more desirable package for the market. Check for local preferences, but usually a Modified Live Vaccine (MLV), is preferred by most feedlots. If this is a change to your vaccination program, check with your veterinarian before implementing the change. However, if you use MLV already for your calves and your cowherd, be sure to advertise the fact.

Sort the calves into the most attractive package for buyers. Try to keep the weight ranges within 100 lbs in any group. Pay more attention to matching the type rather than the colours, although colour can be a sort option. Sell the off type calves separately, whether they are too big, too small, too good, or too poor. Sort and price the sexes separately even if you are selling at home.

Know when the calf sales are and when and where your type of calves will sell best. Then time your processing and vaccinating to ensure the calves are at their best for those sales. Be flexible in your marketing plan, as some feedlots may be looking for calves later than usual if they have finished steers waiting to go to slaughter. Conversely, some feedlots may look for calves earlier if they are switching from feeding yearlings to calves. Volatile markets are also an issue. Be prepared to adjust your chosen sale time based on market signals and prices.

Other selling strategies listed here may work in individual situations but consider carefully the dollars, facilities, feed and risk involved:

• Split marketing of the calf crop by size and weight or maybe by sex
• Having your calves custom fed in a feedlot
• Backgrounding or feeding-out your own calves
• Selling cows and keeping heifer calves, and
• Reducing the herd and selling hay.

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