Factors Influencing Bred Heifer Price

Replacing breeding females or growing the beef cattle herd with heifers is a frequent decision for beef cattle producers, and it has long-term profitability implications. Producers understand replacement heifers require a substantial financial investment and the return on an animal is uncertain. Previous studies report a heifer’s lifetime profitability primarily depends on cattle prices and development costs (Mathews & Short, 2001; Ibendahl et al., 2004; Mackay et al., 2004; Clark et al., 2005). Cattle producers commonly raise their own replacement heifers. The alternative of purchasing heifers may come with the advantages of: • Introducing improved genetics to increase productivity; • Reducing labor and feed costs from managing heifers separately from the cow herd; and • Confirmed pregnancy at the time of purchase. These potential advantages along with heifer physical characteristics, reproductive management characteristics and cattle market prices influence the value of these animals. What has not been evaluated is how reproductive management characteristics and feeder cattle prices impact bred heifer value. It is important to understand if other factors influence bred heifer value and what total impact those factors may have. The objective of this project is to determine how reproductive characteristics and feeder cattle prices influence bred heifer prices. By reporting the results from the following study this publication should provide information to assist buyers and sellers of bred beef heifers in determining the value of the animal.