Phenotypic expression and management factors affecting the selling price of feeder cattle sold at Arkansas livestock auctions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Data (38,346 lots) were collected from 14 Arkansas livestock auctions to determine factors affecting selling price based on phenotypic expression and management. Data included selling calves in groups, sex, breed or breed type, color, muscle score, horn status, frame score, fill, body condition, age, health, BW, and price. Selling prices for steers ($116.16 ± 0.16), bulls ($109.85 ± 0.19), and heifers ($102.71 ± 0.13) were different (P 0.10). Black-white faced color sold for the highest price ($111.74 ± 0.29; P 0.10). The selling prices of muscle scores of 1, 2, 3, and 4 were $110.82 ± 0.10, $101.88 ± 0.21, $78.41 ± 0.84, and $53.64 ± 0.23, respectively, and were different (P 0.10) from that of medium-framed feeder calves. Several management and genetic factors affected the selling price of feeder cattle.