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CATTLE PRODUCERS
As fall marketing season approaches, we’re hopeful that all is going well with each of you, and your summer included a plentiful amount of hay. As we look to the fall marketing season, one thing that is prevalent in our minds is the number of calves with frozen or partially frozen ears. As much as we don’t like to see cattle discounted, you can be sure that calves with frozen ears and/or tails will most likely be discounted substantially by cattle buyers.
WHY ARE FROZEN EARS AND TAILS DISCOUNTED?
We get many comments and questions as to why frozen ear calves are discounted, and the quick answer is that feedlots assume that calves with frozen ears and tails also have frozen feet, and in some cases, damaged lungs. How many truly have frozen feet or damaged lungs? Not a very high percentage, maybe 10%, but feeders are unwilling to take a chance on them unless they can buy them cheap enough. In many cases, foot problems don’t show up until the cattle are on a finishing ration in a feedlot, so we don’t normally see any obvious foot problems through the market, but problems do exist.
SO WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH FROZEN EAR CALVES?
If frozen ear calves come to our market, they will be sorted off from the other calves and sold separate, unless you tell us to keep them together.
A better option might be to keep frozen ears calves at home and not feed them much if any grain over the winter, selling them in the late spring, or even putting them on grass next summer. By then, any foot problems should be obvious, and buyers will be much more willing to pay closer to full value for them.
Something to think about.
UPCOMING SALES & EVENTS
Thursday, Sept. 27 - YEARLING & CALF SALE
28 Black Exposed cows 2-9yrs, exposed Angus for end of March calving 600 yearlings & 150 new crop calves already consigned
Thursday, Oct. 4 - ALL BREED CALF SPECIAL
Tuesday, Oct. 9 - STOCK COW, FALL CALVING PAIR & WEIGH UP SPECIAL Fall Pairs 50 Black 3-9yrs, black clvs 6 Blk&Bwf 2yrs, black clvs
Bred Cows 31 Red 5yrs, bred Red Simm Mar. 25
Thursday, Oct. 11 - ANGUS INFLUENCE CALF SPECIAL
Tuesday, Oct. 16 - ANGUS INFLUENCE CALF SPECIAL
Thursday, Oct. 18 - ALL BREED CALF SPECIAL
Tuesday, Oct. 23 - ALL BREED CALF SPECIAL
Thursday, Oct. 25 - ALL BREED CALF SPECIAL
Tuesday, Oct. 30 - ALL BREED SPECIAL featuring VACCINATED CALVES
Thursday, Nov. 1 - ALL BREED SPECIAL featuring VACCINATED CALVES
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