The Value of Castration: Analyzing Bull Discounts in Feeder Cattle

It is crucial for cattle producers to understand how management practices influence market prices for their livestock. This paper assists cow-calf producers by providing insights into the financial implications of the castration decision prior to marketing feeder cattle. Using data from Oklahoma feeder cattle auctions, this study quantifies the impact of marketing feeder cattle as bulls on prices across weight categories. The results indicate an average bull discount of $11.69 per hundredweight that remains constant as animal weight increases, translating into per-head revenue losses ranging from $35 to $111 depending on animal size.