Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of genetic group and calf sex on selling prices in auctions in the state of Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil. We evaluated 33,143 animals, representing 3,587 lots in 47 auctions from 2009 to 2014. The calves were classified according to genetic groups: British breed or crossbreed (BX); Continental breed or crossbreed (CX); Zebu breed or crossbreed (ZC); British and Continental crossbreed (BC); and Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbreed (TI). The lots were composed of male and female calves. The years presenting low and high changes in the price of calves were similar to the variation in the price of beef cattle and, in 2014, the calf price reached its highest value (R$5.36). Male calves were sold at prices higher than female calves (average 7.8%), but this difference was driven by year of analysis, in which the closest approach occurred during periods of reduction in the price of live cattle in SC (2012 and 2013). Calves of genetic groups ZX and TI received, on average, lower prices (R$4.49 and R$4.64, respectively) compared with the other groups. In 2013, males from the BX group had greater variation in price compared with CX (3.9%) and BC (5.7%). On the other hand, female heifers from the BX group received higher average prices in 2011 compared with the CX, BC, IT, and ZX groups (8.1, 8.5, 14.7, and 16.5%, respectively). Recently, female British heifers have had a greater appreciation in auctions held in SC, possibly for their reproductive performance potential of beef cows. Thus, sex and different genetic groups are factors that impact the selling price of calves in the SC region.
Highlights
In Brazil, the livestock market occurs mainly either by direct sales between buyers and sellers or through auctions, in which buyers compete for the desired lot by bidding (Machado Filho, 1994)
The state of Santa Catarina (SC), contrary to other states, has a sanitary status without vaccination that makes the beef cattle prices differentiated and the calves are marketed within the state boundaries (CEPA, 2014)
The average price (R$ kg–1 as BW) of the calves marketed in SC changed significantly: the year 2011 showed an increase of 19.9% over the selling price (R$5.00) compared with 2010 (R$4.17), followed by a decrease in 2012 and 2013 (R$4.78 and R$4.63, respectively) and by a further increase of 15.0% in 2014 (Figure 1)
Summary
In Brazil, the livestock market occurs mainly either by direct sales between buyers and sellers or through auctions, in which buyers compete for the desired lot by bidding (Machado Filho, 1994). The price of a cow/calf is affected by condition factors of supply and demand, including physical characteristics (e.g., sex, breed, live weight, frame, and handling) and market conditions (e.g., lot size, number and uniformity of animals in the lot, feed, and future prices) (Christofari et al, 2009; Willians et al, 2012; Koetz Junior et al, 2014). Many of these factors are very subjective and producers believe that feeder cattle prices are inconsistent. The selling prices of feeder cattle vary from region to region or over time, in which the producers adjust their production systems (Troxel and Barham, 2012)
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