Thinking about raising grass-fed beef for a livestock auction market? Find out if that is the best way to market your grass-fed beef for the biggest profit.
Rancher’s Question: I have heard a lot of buzz around grass-fed beef. Is there a strong market for grass-fed beef at a traditional livestock auction?
ASK A CATTLE BUYER…
The answer?
No.
There is not a special market through a livestock auction ring for grass-fed cattle that will bring an increased market price.
Grass-fed animals are not in high demand and tend to fluctuate with the latest media trends. There are few consistent orders for grass-fed animals. Most of the cattle go to feedlots to be finished on grain to reach the desired weight and condition.
Sending a grass-fed animal to the auction ring will not have a significant benefit for you. Buyers will not be able to tell you grew them up on grass alone.
Without supplementing with grains, it will take longer for the calf to reach a higher desired weight. The buyer will not know the difference, and you will need more time and pastureland to get a profitable weight because the gain rate will be less on grass alone.
Txfrs tip:
If raising grass-fed beef is a priority for your operation, you will need to do a little research and planning. There are markets available for grass-fed livestock, but you will have to look outside of an auction ring.
Farm-to-table restaurants and grocery stores are quick to market grass-fed beef on their selections, but now, there is not a large market for it.
Raising grass-fed cattle can be profitable, but like anything else, you will need to have a plan in place. Dry regions and areas with extensive winters will not make an ideal grass-fed location. You will not be able to supplement with grains when hay and grass become limited.
Planning and research will help you to decide if raising grass-fed beef is a profitable move for your livestock operation.
FIND MORE LIVESTOCK QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
What Type of Calf brings More Money at the Sale – Heifers, Bulls, or Steers?
Does it Pay to Cut Bull Calves and Sell Them as Steers?
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 [email protected].
*Texas Farm & Ranch Solution, LLC 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.
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