Ever wonder why some types of cattle sell for more money than others? Usually it is because they are beefier. The expensive cuts of beef come from the back (loins) and the hip. You can’t have “hip of beef” from an animal with no hip. A long, broad, thick back is desirable and improves the yield. So does a long, broad, thick hip. That is where the beef is.
Another factor is hair. Cattle with hair as thick as a Husky dog winter better. They convert their feed into beef better in the feedlot too. Slick haired cattle need a lot of feed for energy just to keep warm. Slick means hair like a Chihuahua.
Dairy cattle do not have thick meaty backs or hips nor hair as a rule. Neither do recreation cattle. What are recreation cattle? They are longhorns and Brahmas mostly. Those are for rodeo. Not beef. You never see anyone trying to bull dog a Charolais. But we see people trying to sell recreation cattle as beef cattle. They are usually disappointed and tend to blame others for the lower price. Look at them. Where is the beef? The money to be made on them is in their own domain, recreation. Beef is a bi-product.
When buying a beef bull some people get all mesmerized by birth weight, EPD’s and stuff. First look at the feet and legs. Post legged bulls should be ringed at birth. The bull should have hair like a Husky, a big thick hip and a long, broad, thick loin. If it doesn’t have that you don’t need him regardless of the stats. Calves built like that top the market.
Producers often say “I like this or I like that”. That is great, but when you go to sell the animal you also have to have what people are willing to pay the most for. Those that have length, thickness, hip and hair.
1975 style cattle bring 1975 prices!
