Drs. Ron Gill and Jason Banta discussed various terminology used in the beef industry. One such term is shrink or the difference between the weight of calves leaving the ranch and arrival at the sales facility. During transportation, calves will lose as much as 10 percent due to gut loss, defecation and other factors.
Gill said that 10 percent weight loss can lead to losing big bucks, especially during times of record-high cattle prices as many beef cattle producers are experiencing. One way to avoid these potential losses is to pre-condition calves. Another is to avoid hauling calves to sale the day of the auction, opting to transport the day before to allow calves to regain shrink with feed and water overnight before sale.
Overall, shrink can be managed, he said.
-BLAIR FANNIN