Feeder Calf Grades: Do Better Grades Really Pay? David Gonsoulin USDA

What is a Number 1 Calf? I Do not know how to describe it, but when I see one, I know it. I Do not know how to describe it, but when I see one, I know it. It has to be a good doing calf. It has to be a good doing calf. It has to be a black hided, stand up, big boned, straight backed type animal. It has to be a black hided, stand up, big boned, straight backed type animal. It has to be Medium to Large Frame with thick muscle. It has to be Medium to Large Frame with thick muscle. If it fits the order, it will do. If it fits the order, it will do.

Number 1?

Is this a Number 1?

Are these 1 ½?

Do I Get Paid For What I Have?

Current Feeder Cattle Grades Frame Size Frame Size Muscle Score Muscle Score Thriftiness Thriftiness

Frame Size Refers to the animals skeletal size – Refers to the animals skeletal size – Height and body length—in relation to its age. Height and body length—in relation to its age. Thus frame size evaluations are related to differences in mature size. Thus frame size evaluations are related to differences in mature size. Refers to weight (under normal feeding and management conditions) an animal will produce a carcass which will grade Choice. Refers to weight (under normal feeding and management conditions) an animal will produce a carcass which will grade Choice.

Evaluating Frame Size Flank to Flank Hip HeightHip Height Chest to Ground

What are the Frame Sizes? Large Large Medium Medium Small Small

Large Frame Large Frame cattle are thrifty, tall and long bodied for their age. Large Frame cattle are thrifty, tall and long bodied for their age. Steers grade Choice at weights greater than 1250 lbs. Steers grade Choice at weights greater than 1250 lbs. Heifers greater than 1150 lbs Heifers greater than 1150 lbs

Large Frame

Medium Frame Medium Frame cattle are thrifty, are slightly tall and have slightly long bodies. Medium Frame cattle are thrifty, are slightly tall and have slightly long bodies. Steers grade Choice between 1100 lbs and 1250 lbs. Steers grade Choice between 1100 lbs and 1250 lbs. Heifers grade Choice between 1000 lbs and 1150 lbs Heifers grade Choice between 1000 lbs and 1150 lbs

Medium Frame

Small Frame Small Frame cattle are thrifty, and not as Small Frame cattle are thrifty, and not as tall or long bodied as the Medium Frame animal tall or long bodied as the Medium Frame animal Steers grade Choice below 1100 lbs. Steers grade Choice below 1100 lbs. Heifers grade Choice below 1000 lbs Heifers grade Choice below 1000 lbs

Small Frame

Frame Steers Heifers Large 1250 lbs 1150 Lbs Large 1250 lbs 1150 Lbs Medium 1100 lbs 1000 lbs Medium 1100 lbs 1000 lbs Small under 1100 lbs 1000 lbs Small under 1100 lbs 1000 lbs

What do buyers pay for? Summary of Sale Barns FrameOK.KS.AR.AL.Avg High Large LargeBaseBaseBaseBaseBase Upper Medium BaseBase Medium Small

Muscle Score Thickness Thickness refers to the development of the muscle system in relation to skeletal size. Thickness refers to the development of the muscle system in relation to skeletal size. Thicker feeder cattle will have a higher ratio of muscle to bone when fed to the same degree of fatness and will have higher yield grades. Thicker feeder cattle will have a higher ratio of muscle to bone when fed to the same degree of fatness and will have higher yield grades.

Muscle Grades #1#2#3#4 = Thick Or Heavy Muscling = Average Muscling = Thin Or Light Muscling = Extremely Light Muscling (Starved Jersey)

# 1 Muscle

# 2 Muscle

Average #2

# 3 Muscle

# 4 Muscle

Muscle Grades # 1# 2# 3# 4

Possible Feeder Cattle Grades  Large Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4  Medium Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4  Small Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4  Inferior – This grade will include sick unthrifty cattle and double muscled cattle due to their inability to Quality grade.

Prices for Muscle Ok.KS.AR.AL.Avg. 1HeavyMuscleBaseBaseBaseBase 2AverageMuscle ThinMuscle Very Thin Muscle

Thrifty/Healthy OK.KS.AR.AL.Avg Dead Hair/Mud Bad Eye Stale LameLumps Sick

USDA Feeder Cattle Grades Inferior

Feeder Cattle Value Determining Factors Background Color Fill Horns Personal Preference Vaccinations Breed Condition/Flesh Frame Muscling Sex Weight

Does Color Make A Difference? Arkansas Extension 2005 Color Deviation From Average Yellow+2.19 Black/Whiteface Black+1.14 White-2.09 Red/Whiteface Red-4.18 SpotSpotSpotSpot-10.73

Other Factors Factor Deviation from Average Calf with Horns Fleshy Calf Fat Calf Full Calf -8.05

Throw It All Together You have a Small Frame, Number 3 Muscle, Full, Red Calf with Horns. Small (-16.55) Number 3 (-21.08), Full (-8.05), Red Calf (-4.18) with Horns (-3.23) Total Total

David Gonsoulin USDA, Livestock & Grain Market News