Calves weighing below 200 lbs are riskier to buyers, since growth potential and health conditions may not be apparent at this young age. Figure 2 shows that buyers realize the opportunity cost of not filling a load with similar type pairs or bringing in additional modes of transportation. The results of this study found that the maximum price occurs at a pen size of 9 - 12 head. Typical hauling modes at this auction site are straight truck and stock trailers, which corresponds to the optimal number of pairs in a pen. Figure 3 illustrates that older cows receive discounts.
Older cows have fewer reproductive years remaining reducing their value for breeding purposes.
Table 3 indicates premiums and discounts for cow condition, cow and calf health, cow and calf frame. A premium was paid for large frame cows relative to medium frame cows. Whereas, price of pens containing large frame calves were not significantly different from those with medium frames. A discount was present for small frame calves relative to medium frame calves. Two results not shown are for cows that were bred back and cows with horns.