Factors affecting the selling prices of calves in auctions in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Abstract

-The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of genetic group and calf sex on selling prices in auctions in the state of Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil. We evaluated 33,143 animals, representing 3,587 lots in 47 auctions from 2009 to 2014. The calves were classified according to genetic groups: British breed or crossbreed (BX); Continental breed or crossbreed (CX); Zebu breed or crossbreed (ZC); British and Continental crossbreed (BC); and Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbreed (TI). The lots were composed of male and female calves. The years presenting low and high changes in the price of calves were similar to the variation in the price of beef cattle and, in 2014, the calf price reached its highest value (R$5.36). Male calves were sold at prices higher than female calves (average 7.8%), but this difference was driven by year of analysis, in which the closest approach occurred during periods of reduction in the price of live cattle in SC (2012 and 2013). Calves of genetic groups ZX and TI received, on average, lower prices (R$4.49 and R$4.64, respectively) compared with the other groups. In 2013, males from the BX group had greater variation in price compared with CX (3.9%) and BC (5.7%). On the other hand, female heifers from the BX group received higher average prices in 2011 compared with the CX, BC, IT, and ZX groups (8.1, 8.5, 14.7, and 16.5%, respectively). Recently, female British heifers have had a greater appreciation in auctions held in SC, possibly for their reproductive performance potential of beef cows. Thus, sex and different genetic groups are factors that impact the selling price of calves in the SC region.

Inherent auction factors that affect the selling price of calves

“…We analyzed 2,432 batches of males and 1,880 batches of females (Table 5), in which the price paid for males was higher (15.75%) than that for females (P<0.05). Fornari et al (2016) evaluated auctions in the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil and found the average price of males was 6.78% higher than that of females. Koetz Júnior et al (2014) observed an 11.5% difference in the price of male calves in relation to females in the northern part of the state of Paraná, Brazil.…”

“…Similar results were obtained by Crespo et al (2006) in Uruguay and by Troxel and Barham (2012) in the state of Arkansas, USA. According to Fornari et al (2016), the higher price paid for males may be related to the greater potential for weight gain during rearing and fattening, in addition to greater final value at slaughter. On the other hand, farmers generally purchase females for replacement of matrices, and they are sold at lower prices at the end of their reproductive life.…”

The welfare of water buffaloes during the slaughter process: A review

“…Livestock markets operate mainly through direct sales between buyers and sellers or auctions (Fornari et al, 2016). Sales of animals can result in longer transport times,…”

Fatores que afetam a comercialização de bezerros em leilões na região Sul do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

“…O preço de comercialização é definido por meio da interação de diversos fatores, estritamente relacionados à genética e ao fenótipo dos animais, tais como o peso, o sexo, a raça, a presença ou não de chifres, o tamanho e a uniformidade do lote (Schoroeder et al, 1988;Cristofari et al, 2008;Cristofari et al, 2009;Cristofari et al, 2010;Fornari et al, 2016), bem como sofre influência direta do preço praticado com outras categorias bovinas (Sachs e Martins, 2007), em especial as de animais para abate, e, mais recentemente, pelos preços praticados para exportação de bezerros vivos.…”