and CORRECT Answers
What could be considered as additional positive attributes of backgrounding heifers compared to
steers? - CORRECT ANSWER - All options cited in A, B, C, and D.
a. Heifer prices decline less than steers as weight increases.
b. Light weight heifers are discounted more than heavier weight heifers. So, it is a good
opportunity to buy cheap!
c. Depending on the year, it is not uncommon for Fall-bought heifers to sell very close to the
purchase price in subsequent Spring.
d. Potential for other markets: reproduction female, embryo transfer receptor, etc...
If calves are supplemented during the pre-conditioning phase (0.5 to 1.5% of BW with energy +
protein coproduct), the ADG on subsequent backgrounding phase on wheat pasture is very likely
to: - CORRECT ANSWER - Decrease, because animals will start to gradually change
body composition, and show reduced compensatory growth.
What the negative values in the table below mean? - CORRECT ANSWER - Negative
values in this table indicate that there is no way to adjust COG and still guarantee profitability.
Assuming you will be delivering 750 lb feeder-steers in about 120 days using a fixed contract
price of $140/cwt. You have figured that to make it possible you must purchase animals with 550
lb of shrunk BW. You have also calculated your usual COG in your operation for this type of
animals, which is approximately $0.82/lb. Today, you are at the sale barn, and you have to buy
the calves, this way you can honor your delivery date of 120 days. How much should be the
maximum price can you pay for the calves ($/cwt) to guarantee that you will be at least
breakeven in this business? (use 2 decimals for your answer; type just the number) - CORRECT
ANSWER - 161.09