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Factors Affecting Price Differences Within Sales of Registered Holstein Cattle^{1 ,2,}

Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

ABSTRACT

Data from 9524 Holstein females sold in 167 cattle sales from 1973 to 1977 were examined for relative importance of production and type for predicting differences in prices within sales. One in ten available sales was chosen randomly except that seven sales were included in all years. Most animals were sold in state and dispersal sales, but data from national, regional, and club sales were also available.

Measures of production and type included actual milk yield and fat percentage and maximum final score for cows sold, Cow Indexes for milk yield and fat percentage, and maximum final score for dams of cows and heifers sold, and Predicted Differences for milk yield, fat percentage, and type for sires and service sires of cows and heifers sold. Performance data were restricted to those available prior to the date of sale.

Multiple regression models for price included, separately and in combination, performance for cows sold and for dams, sires and service sires of cows and heifers sold. Sales were absorbed in all models. Milk yield was relatively more important than fat percentage or type in determining sale prices of cows. For heifers sold, the relative importance of type increased. Alternative breeding programs may differ in their contributions to profitability through effects on animal value, but selection for increased milk yield should result in higher value of animals sold for dairy purposes.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Supported by a grant from the Holstein-Friesian Association of America.