What Type of Calf brings More Money at the Sale? (2024)

You are always happy to have a live calf born, but have you ever thought about a plan for your calf crop? Find out why you may need a plan for profit.

Rancher’s Question: What type of calf brings more money at the sale – a heifer, bull, or steer calf?

No matter what your herd plan is, the calf that hits the ground plays a big part in your income strategy. But, what will bring you more at a livestock sale – a bull, steer, or heifer calf?

Let’s take a closer look.

ASK A CATTLE BUYER…

Stocker steers tend to bring more at the market. They go through less stress than bull calves because they have already gone through the stressful process of castration. Less stress means they will adapt quickly and begin to eat and graze for a better weight gain.

Bull calves endure castration after the sale and this tends to set them back in the gaining process.

Heifers do not gain as well as bulls and steers and do not yield as good at slaughter. They are genetically designed to be more feminine, not more muscular.

However, replacement heifers have a different market. A good replacement heifer can bring a higher price than a market heifer, often when sold through private treaty or well-marketed auction sale.

TxFRS TIP:

Predicting the outcome of your calf crop is nearly impossible, but having a plan before the calf hits the ground can help to make sure you have a profitable outcome.

Here are questions to ask yourself when planning your calf plan:

Bull calves:

• Do I have heavy muscled, heavy boned bulls?

• How long will I keep them before taking them to the market?

• Will they be castrated?

• What weight/age do I plan to keep them on the cow?

• Where/how/when do I plan to sell them?

• What will my feeding cost be?

Heifer calves:

• Will I raise replacement heifers or market heifers?

• How long will I keep them before taking them to the market?

• Do I have the resources and space to raise replacement heifers?

• What weight/age do I plan to keep them on the cow?

• Where/how/when do I plan to sell them?

• What will my feeding cost be?

These questions may have you thinking differently about your herd. Remember, having a plan in place will help you use your resources and pasture for better profits.

FIND MORE LIVESTOCK QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

Rancher’s Question: When is the Ideal Time of the Year to Sell Calves?

Rancher’s Question: Do Black Hide Cattle bring More Money than Other Hide Colors?

Our Ask a Cattle Buyer series is designed to help everyday cattle owners get the answers to their livestock market questions. Longtime cattle buyer, Craig Archer, gives you the answers to your market questions from his years in the seat of an auction ring gallery. Send your questions to [emailprotected].

* brings you helpful information for your livestock operation. Texas Farm & Ranch Solution, LLC, and its associates offer no guarantees of profit from this information. Changes to your operation are at your discretion.