By Andi Anderson
Knowing the weight of calves before marketing can be one of the most valuable management tools available to cattle producers. While weighing calves at weaning is not a new practice, many producers still rely on sale barn weights obtained after the calves have already been sold. Taking the time to weigh calves before marketing can help improve planning, decision-making, and profitability.
Kevin Laurent, Extension Specialist, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, highlights the importance of using measurements to guide management decisions. As he notes, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Accurate information allows producers to better understand the value of their calves and create effective marketing strategies.
Weaning weights have traditionally been used to evaluate cattle performance and breeding stock. However, they can also serve as an important management tool for commercial cow-calf operations. Knowing calf weights before sale helps producers estimate market value using current market reports and determine the best time to market their animals.
Experience from the Post Weaning Value-Added Program (PVAP) has shown that many producers face challenges when estimating the true value of their calves. Data collected from thousands of calves over several years demonstrated the benefits of obtaining accurate weaning weights before beginning a marketing or preconditioning program.
Producers do not necessarily need on-farm scales to gather weight information. Nearby truck scales, portable livestock scales, or locally available weighing equipment can provide reliable estimates. Even weighing a representative group of calves can offer useful information for planning purposes.
Once calf weights are known, producers can compare them with current market prices to estimate potential returns. This information can help determine whether calves should be sold immediately, left on the cow for additional growth, or enrolled in a preconditioning program. In some situations, allowing calves to gain additional weight before marketing may increase overall returns.
Market data often show that added weight can provide significant value when gain is achieved at a reasonable cost. Results from preconditioning programs have indicated that the cost of adding weight may be considerably lower than the value received for the extra pounds sold. However, producers should remember that market conditions can change and should evaluate each situation carefully.
Weighing calves before sale provides valuable information that supports better management and marketing decisions. By combining weight data with current market information, producers can more accurately estimate calf value, reduce uncertainty, and improve the chances of achieving stronger financial returns from their cattle operations.
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Categories: Ohio, Business