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The Midwest Cattleman · October 22, 2020 · P23
Dressing Percent and Cull Cow Marketing
Dressing Percent and Cull Cow Marketing

By Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist

October is often the month erage, and Low Dressing
of calf weaning and cow cull- Percentages for each of the
ing (for spring calving herds). previous mentioned grades.
Cull cows represent about As you study these price re-
20% of the gross income in ports, note that the differ-
commercial cow calf oper- ences between High and Low
ations. Understanding the Dressing cows and bulls will
major factors impacting cull generally be greater than dif-
cow prices is important to ferences between grades.
the bottom line. Remember Many reports will indicate
cull cows that are destined to that Low Dressing cows will
go to the packing house are be discounted $8 to $15 per
graded by their fleshiness. In hundredweight compared to
the USDA Market News re- High Dressing cows and will
ports cull cows are reported be discounted $5 to $7 per
in four grades. The fattest hundredweight compared
cows are called “Breakers”. to Average Dressing cows.
Moderately fleshed cows are These price differences are
“Boners” or “boning utility”. usually widest for the thin-
Thin cows are called “Leans” ner cow grades (Leans and
or “Lights”, depending upon ly aware of the proportion of the ing percentage include gut fill, Lights).
the weight of the cow. There will purchased live weight that even- udder size, mud and manure As producers market cull
be price differences among these tually becomes saleable product on the hide, excess leather on cows and bulls, they should be
four grades. hanging on the rail. Dressing the body, and anything else that cautious about selling cattle
However, within each grade, percentage is (mathematically) contributes to the live weight with excess fill. The large dis-
large variation in prices per hun- the carcass weight divided by but will not add to the carcass counts due to low dressing per-
dredweight will exist because of the live weight multiplied by weight. Most USDA Market cent often will more than offset
differences in dressing percent- 100. News reports for cull cows will any advantage from the added
age. Cow buyers are particular- Key factors that affect dress- give price ranges for High, Av- weight.

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