“By nature of its excellence and rarity, this elite beef should not be viewed, marketed or sold as a basic commodity,” says Amanda Radke. “In 2023, we put this concept to work through a new auction platform called Bid on Beef.”

Making a calf crop stand out to buyers is critical for profitability and long-term success, regardless of an operation’s size. While smaller farms may feel disadvantaged by these efforts, they can significantly enhance their calves’ appeal and secure higher prices using simple but often overlooked methods.

While the expressed purpose of hosting a weekly auction is buying and selling livestock, we all know that a good portion of the folks making themselves comfortable in those worn-out bleachers show up with no intention of letting go of a single penny.

“Somewhere down in Texas” could be the start of countless phrases related to the cattle industry. Somewhere down in Texas, someone is working cows, saddling a horse for a long day or preparing to sell their calves at the local sale barn.

“Shrink, the unpaid loss of weight, is essentially an important cost of marketing,” says Chris Bastian, a professor in the department of agricultural and applied economics at the University of Wyoming.