If ranch marketed calves are loaded on the truck and hauled a distance for weighing the pencil shrink should be adjusted accordingly. If calves are weighed on the truck, insist that trucks arrive on time such that calves do not remain penned for extended periods. For calves sold at an auction market, the seller should gather calves with limited commotion then haul them immediately to the auction market. Try to deliver calves such that they are sold as quickly as possible after arrival. It is recognized that many ranchers with small herds must pen calves the day before the sale.
Some ranchers even deliver calves to the auction market the day before the sale.
It is important that these calves be provided hay and water, but they will still lose considerable weight. Again, obtain a sale weight on calves in as short a time as possible after removal from the cow or feed. This is true for calves sold at the ranch or the auction market. Remember, buyers are well aware of shrink and also use it to their advantage. The use of e-mail to communicate has been expanding greatly in the past few years.