Selected Angus Bull Buyers' Preferences for the Format and Content of Angus Bull Sale Catalogs
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe selected Angus bull buyers� preferences for the format and content of Angus bull sale catalogs. Additionally, the study sought to determine catalog preferences between commercial cow/calf producers and seedstock producers. The study targeted all cattlemen who purchase or sell Angus bulls and attended four specific events (N = 2,549). Descriptive research methodology was used to analyze data collected through a questionnaire to describe the preferences of Angus bull sale catalogs in making bull-buying decisions.The typical respondent was a 53-year-old male seedstock producer with a bachelor�s degree or higher; who markets his calves at the local sale barn; and who produces his own females and retains them as herd replacements. Respondents perceived some level of usefulness for all performance traits when making bull-buying decisions. Calving Ease Direct (CED), Birth Weight EPD (BW), Weaning Weight EPD (WW), Yearling Weight EPD (YW), Scrotal Circumference EPD (SC), Docility (Doc), Marbling EPD (Marb), Maternal Milk EPD (Milk), Ribeye Area EPD (RE), Weaned Calf Value ($W), Beef Value ($B), and Actual Birth Weight (Act BW) are traits respondents found the most useful of available performance traits. Respondents preferred viewing bull sale catalogs with a combination of a printed copy and online version. They preferred a photo of the animal being sold to be included in the catalog when making bull-buying decisions. Scrotal Circumference EPD was the only performance trait seedstock producers found more useful than commercial cow/calf producers. Eleven performance traits were found more useful with commercial cow/calf producers than seedstock producers. Significant differences exist between seedstock producers and commercial cow/calf producers for seven format preferences.Based on the findings of this study, respondents desire to have a large amount of information in bull sale catalogs when making buying decisions. Additional research should be conducted to further investigate catalog preferences and gain understanding of the opinions of cattle producers.
Collections
- OSU Theses [15752]