Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-jbqgn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-30T11:44:29.786Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A U.S. Regional Model of Feeder Steer-Heifer Price Differentials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Steven T. Buccola
Affiliation:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
David L. Jessee
Affiliation:
Agricultural Chemicals Group, W. R. Grace and Co., Wilmington, North Carolina

Extract

U.S. feeder cattle markets discriminate among a wide variety of animal characteristics such as weight, sex, breed, grade, and age. In recent years, concern has been expressed that price premiums paid for steers over heifers no longer reflect estimated differences in their feedlot performance or carcass value [2,8]. Another question is whether observed regional differences in steer-heifer price differentials are justified. The sources of feeder price differentials by sex are investigated and variations in these differentials across time and space dimensions are analyzed. The results provide preliminary evidence on the efficiency with which feeder markets establish price spreads.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 1979

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

[1] Buccola, S.T.Weight, Sex, and Feeder Cattle Price Differentials: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis,” presented at the American Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meetings, August 1978.Google Scholar
[2] Ehmke, V.He Hedges His Bets With Ryegrass and Heifers,” Progressive Farmer, August 1978.Google Scholar
[3] Gustafson, R.A. and Van Arsdall, R.N.. “Cattle Feeding in the U.S.,” Agricultural Economic Report No. 186, Economic Research Service, USDA, 1970.Google Scholar
[4] Hoffman, L.A., Boles, P.P., and Hutchinson, T.Q.. “Livestock Trucking Services,” Agricultural Economic Report No. 312, Economic Research Service, USDA, 1975.Google Scholar
[5] Kmenta, J. Elements of Econometrics. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1971.Google Scholar
[6] U.S. Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Prices, Crop Reporting Board, Economics, Statistics, and Cooperatives Service, annual issues, 1964-1976.Google Scholar
[7] U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cattle on Feed, Crop Reporting Board, Economics, Statistics, and Cooperatives Service, quarterly issues, 1964-1976.Google Scholar
[8] Wise, M. B.A Comparison of Steers and Heifers for Feedlot Finishing,” Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Animal Science, 1976.Google Scholar