Optimal contract design under asymmetric information to incentivize preconditioning calves for feedlots

Abstract We analyze the equilibrium conditions in which contracts are desirable for firms (buyers) with various levels of management efficiencies procuring a factor input under two levels of quality from supplies. The quality of the factor input, which affects production efficiency, may be known to the buyer; the efficiency of the firm is not known to the supplier. We estimate, using principal-agent models, that firms with high-management efficiency do not have the incentive to pay a quality premium to suppliers, but firms operating with low management efficiency are willing to offer a price premium for quality. The model is applied to the question of preconditioning cattle for the feedlot.