In previous articles over the last few weeks, we discussed marketing calves to capture their true value. The price at an auction market is the market’s estimate of what a calf is worth that day, based on the information buyers can see and trust. There are no real visual indications of the calf’s genetic potential for growth, feed efficiency, or carcass value. Calves sired by proven sires may have the potential for high rates of gain, improved feed efficiency, and exceptional marbling and carcass quality. However, if the calf is sold at weaning there is no way for the cow-calf producer to capture that potential value unless they take steps to market their genetics.
A two-year comparison makes this point exceptionally well. In this example calves were sired by Angus bull either by artificial insemination from top bulls in the breed or natural service clean-up bulls purchased from reputation Angus seedstock producers. Calves produced through timed artificial insemination were 69 pounds heavier at weaning than natural-service calves, but much of that difference came from being born earlier. The adjusted 205-day weaning weights for AI sired calves were only 9 pounds heavier than calves from natural service sires. As ownership continued, however, differences in performance associated with genetics became greater. AI-sired steers were 109 pounds heavier as long yearlings after grazing wheat pasture. During finishing, the AI sired steers gained faster (3.74 versus 3.56 pounds per day) and produced 50-pound heavier carcasses. The analysis estimated $150/head greater net return from the AI-sired steers, including $82 less feed, using prices and costs from that time.
Our recent OSU research underscores why “true value” must be defined carefully. Steers that were sired by bull selected for high growth based on yearling-weight EPD had the same weaning weight as moderate-growth contemporaries. By harvest, high-growth steers were 73 pounds heavier, produced 26 pounds more hot carcass weight, and reached harvest seven days sooner. However, they also ate more feed and had lower feed efficiency. Moderate-growth steers tended to produce more USDA Prime quality grade carcasses. Selection for growth added productivity, but it did not produce universal superiority in feed efficiency or carcass quality.
To get our calves full value we first must create value by early castration and dehorning, a sound health program, and nutrition that allows genetics to be expressed. Second, capture value by marketing uniform groups, documenting genetics and management. Finally, choosing an marketing outlet whose buyers value superior genetics or retaining ownership when feed resources, health, finances, risk tolerance, and the market outlook justify it. Retained ownership reveals calves’ real value, to benefit from it you need to know where the value of your calves is, prove it, and sell where buyers recognize it.
Resources:
Capture More of Your Calves’ True Value. Cow-Calf Corner, September 7, 2026. https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/beef-extension/cow-calf-corner-the-newsletter-archives/2026/september-7-2026
Matching Cattle to the Market That Rewards Their Strengths. Cow-Calf Corner, September 14, 2026. https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/beef-extension/cow-calf-corner-the-newsletter-archives/2026/september-14-2026
