Page 6 - MWC 10-5-2023s

Factors Affecting The Midwest Cattleman · October 5, 2023 · P6

Slaughter Cow Values

By Derrell Peel - Oklahoma State University
As of mid-September, the range of 15-17 percent
cull cow prices at Oklaho- from year earlier levels. The
ma auctions are an average declining supply of lean beef
of 33.1 percent higher year is driving higher process-
over year across all grades ing beef prices. The current
and dressing percentages. price of 90 percent lean beef
Higher slaughter cow prices is 17.3 percent higher year
are the result of strong lean over year. cwt. which means that the Typically, a cow with between
prices would be expected to .15-.35 inches of backfat at
beef markets and the related With fall culling deci-
growth in breeding demand sions approaching, producers vary from a high of $120.74/ the 12th rib.
•Lean: Slaughter cows ex-
cwt. for high dressing Break-
for cows. should be aware of factors
Beef cow slaughter in- affecting cull cow value and er cows to a low of $91.80/cwt. pected to yield carcasses in
creased annually from 2015 consider opportunities to in- for low dressing Lean cows. the range of 85+% lean. Typi-
– 2022 and, after rising crease cull value. Table 1 Slaughter cow grade is a cally, a cow with less than .15
sharply the past two years to shows the average percent function of age, weight, and inch of backfat at the 12th
the highest level since 1996, difference in price of slaugh- condition of cows. The Agri- rib.
is declining year over year in ter cows compared to a base cultural Marketing Service As a rough guide, cows will
2023. Beef cow slaughter is of average dressing, Boner (USDA-AMS) uses the fol- be about 100 pounds heavier
falling more sharply in the cows. The price of aver- lowing guidelines to grade for increases in each grade
second half of this year and age dressing Boner cows in slaughter cows: from Lean to Boner to Break-
may end the year down in mid-September is $108.38/ •Breaker: Slaughter cows er. Each grade increase is
expected to yield carcasses roughly equivalent to an in-
in the range of 75-80% lean. crease of one body condition
Typically, a cow with more score. Additionally, the live
than .35 inch of backfat at weight of cows will change by
the 12th rib. roughly 25-30 pounds above
•Boner: Slaughter cows and below the weight of av-
expected to yield carcasses
in the range of 80-85% lean. continued on page 14