There is no question that most breeders buy on instinct as much as from anything else. They do their homework on the pedigree of the animal and take a close look at the conformation , but for the most part when determining just what that animal is worth, they rely on instinct as much as anything else. In trying to put numbers to this use of instinct we took a closer look at the recent most recent major cattle sales, Genetics By Design, Sale of Stars and Genomic Prospects Sale, and tried to see what trends appeared. The following is what we found.
Summary
Segment
#
Avg. LPI
Avg. Sale Price
Picks
74
2789
$28,622
Heifers
203
2528
$24,588
Cows
23
2330
$46,839
Total
300
2476
$27,289
We all know that cows sell for more than heifers and top picks can draw some good prices. We wanted to take a closer look at this so we broke down each group to see what trends came out.
What motivates buyers?
In looking to see what types of animals get the top prices, we looked at the results in the following segments >3000 LPI, <3000 but >2000 LPI, < 2000 LPI, R&W, Polled and show pedigree animals. The results are as follows:
Segment
#
Avg. LPI
Avg. Sale Price
Price/LPI Point
>3000LPI
80
3286
$60,021
$18.26
>2000 LPI <3000
164
2589
$16,384
$6.51
<2000 LPI
56
1637
$8,879
$5.42
R&W
26
2093
$24,600
$11.75
Polled
26
2275
$37,076
$16.30
Show Heifers or All-Canadian Pedigree
52
2005
$17,154
$8.56
It is significant, to say the least, by how much top index animals outsold all other purchase motivators. Animals that had GLPI’s over 3,000 outsold all other animals by a whopping 61%. Even though they only had on average LPI’s that were about 700 points higher than the group of animals between 2000 and 3000 LPI they outsold them by almost three times. This highlights the importance of being within striking distance of the top of the list (within 10% or 300 LPI points). Anything outside of that just doesn’t get the same level of demand.
Also interesting was how much having polled adds value to an animal. Even though on average the polled consignments had a lower LPI than the 2,000-3,000 LPI group, they attracted more than double the average sales price. This indicates that many breeders are seeing and responding to the demand for polled genetics (Read more- Polled Genetics: Way of the Future or Passing Fad?). It is especially noteworthy that Polled Genetics received 39% premium per LPI point compared to Red and White animals (Read more – Is Polled the NEW Red?).
Top Index Cows Draw Top Dollars
As the chart below indicates, the closer you get to having a over 3000 LPI cow the greater the price.
Segment
#
Average LPI
Average Sale Price
Price/LPI Point
Picks
27
3268
$40,056
$12.26
Heifers
50
3288
$63,004
$19.16
Cows
3
3426
$190,000
$55.46
What this also brings to light is just by how much high index cows outsell others. This trend continues in heifers as well.
Segment
#
AVG LPI
Avg Sale Price
Price/LPI Point
>3000LPI
50
3288
$63,004
$19.16
>2000 LPI <3000
103
2571
$13,221
$5.35
<2000 LPI
38
1514
$7,691
$5.08
Of interesting note is how this changed with picks. Picks from current show stars and polled picks actually attract similar dollars as the top genomics animals.
Segment
#
Average LPI
Average Sale Price
Price/LPI Point
>3000LPI
27
3268
$40,056
$12.26
>2000 LPI <3000
33
2739
$19,092
$6.97
R&W
12
2000
$27,542
$13.77
Polled
17
2298
$39,219
$17.07
Show Heifers or All-Canadian Pedigree
6
1666
$39,917
$23.96
Continuing a downward trend is how much less top show animals or progeny from top show animals are commanding at these sales. Top show cattle are still in demand, however, the recent sales performance would indicate that picks for cows that are showing this year command higher prices than those from years past.
Segment
#
Average Sale Price
Picks
6
$39,916
Heifers
41
$11,531
Cows
3
$35,940
Looking at what sires attracted the highest prices, we see daughters of Uno, Epic and Man-O-Man come to the top. While daughters sired by the limited supply sire, Snowman, and the outcross sire, Sudan, actually don’t seem to sell as well as equivalent LPI animals. A strong market also exists for the top polled sires, Earnhardt-P and Colt-P.
The Bullvine Bottom Line
There are many additional aspects for what drives the top dollars at sales, such as flush ability (Read more – What Comes First the Chicken or The Egg?),however, as we found out in our article 6 Ways to invest $50,000 in dairy cattle genetics, the numbers clearly support that you need to GO BIG OR GO HOME, when it comes to investing in the top genetics at sales today!
Before a standing room only crowd, one of the greatest cattle genetics partnerships, GMO (GenerVations, Mapel Wood, and O’Connor Land & Cattle Co.) reaped the fruits of their investments for an outstanding average of $27,666 on 175 lots. Vision, commitment and hard work came together at the Genetics By Design Sale.
Albert Cormier and LYLEHAVEN LILA Z
Fueled by the original purchase of COMESTAR GOLDWYN LILAC VG-89-5YR-CAN as a heifer for just under $60,000, this group has developed one of the most in-demand cow families in the world. Of course Lilac’s dam is none other than the $1.15 Million cow, LYLEHAVEN LILA Z EX-94-CAN 14*, who, at the time she sold, had many wondering if she was really worth it? (Read – Lylehaven Lila Z: Was She Really Worth $1.15 Million?) It is evident from this sale, that those questions have been answered. As auctioneer Brian Craswell emphasized, “It’s not how much the animals will bring but how much you will make” that was spurring on eager investors.
Leading the way was the #1 GLPI cow in Canada OCONNORS PLANET LUCIA VG-86-2YR-CAN. She and her ten daughters and fifteen first choices from her and her daughters totaled $2,119,500 or an astounding average of $81,519.. Very impressive even for one of the most in-demand young cows in the world. (Read – The Sensational 6 Top North American Genomic Holsteins We Would Invest In). Lucia herself drew the second highest bid of the day selling at $410,000 to Bert DeBruyn of Select Genetics LLC, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. One of the key things about this entire cow family is that they flush well, which is a key component in any genetics program (Read – What Comes First The Chicken Or The Egg?)
Numer Uno daughters of OCONNORS PLANET LUCIA VG-86-2YR-CAN
As Mapel Wood’s Len Vis points out to our readers ”You need to invest in the best and forget the rest.” (Read Mapel Wood Farms – Invest In The Rest Forget The Rest!) That is exactly what Oscar & Eric Dupasquier, Guelph, Ont., Cormdale Genetics Inc., Bethany, Ont., Impact Agr. Div. LA, Burlington, Ont., and Al.Be.Ro. Land & Cattle, Piacenza, Italy did in purchasing OCONNORS LAST HOPE for $475,000. She is currently the number one GTPI “Numero Uno” sired calf in the world with a +2672 GTPI and a +3534 GPA LPI. While not the highest of the Numero Uno daughters, Last Hope is an outstanding individual in her own right and sparked great interest. This heifer really is the complete package. She has that rare combination of personal conformation, production, durability, and health and fertility numbers. In talking with Oscar and Eric Dupasquier they said, “In today’s marketplace you have to work with the very best, there really is no mid-market anymore.” In purchasing part of Last Hope, that is exactly what they have done.
In a re-tooling initiative, Stanton Brothers were the major Genetics By Design buyers. They were the contending bid on Last Hope and ended up purchasing her higher genomic index full sister, MAPEL WOOD LAST DANCE for $365,000. Last Dance is the highest GPA LPI daughter of Lucia, and is the #1 GPA LPI Numero Uno in the world. Not done there, Stantons also purchased OCONNORS BOULDER LUNA, the Mapelwood Boulder (Man-O-Man x Gen-I-Beq Shottle Bombi) from Lucia. Luna is a full sister to the much talked about new release sires from GenerVations, Liquid Gold, Fuzion and Gizmo. (Read – $750 Dollar Semen! Are They Crazy?) Obviously Stanton’s have been reading the Bullvine. (Read – Top Three Things To Consider When Investing In High Genomic Cows)
Another cow family that generated high interest and top prices was that of GEN-I-BEQ SHOTTLE BOMBI EX-92-6YR-USA 3*. A Flevo Genetics Snowman daughter, Oconnors Snowman Bermuda, out of Bombi’s highest index daughter GEN-I-BEQ MANOMAN BIBI VG-85-2YR-CAN, sold for $125,000. Bermuda has an outstanding DGV LPI of +4077, 294 kg of Fat and Protein and is the #6 GPA LPI heifer in Canada. Also topping the sale from the Bombi family was her polled and red carrier Colt-P daughter MAPEL WOOD COLT BRENDA who sold for $113,000. Brenda’s first choice Earnhardt daughter that was guaranteed to have at least one homozygous female option sold for $115,000.
The Bullvine Bottom Line
The GMO partnership provides an outstanding model for how A.I. and top breeders can work together to accelerate their genetic programs. These three first came together under the mentorship of Albert Cormier (Genetics By Design sale manager) and have developed a long-standing mutually beneficial relationship.
The Rest of the Story
Lot 1- $410,000-Oconnors Planet Lucia VG-86 2YR #1 GLPI Cow in Canada @+3823 GTPI +2429 Back by the great Lila Z family
Lot 1A- $30,000-1st Choice Mascalese from 4 females due May ’13 x OConnors Planet Lucia #1 Cow in Canada 08/12 Lot 1B- $85,000-1st choice McCutchen from 3 Females due May ’13 x OConnors Planet Lucia #1 Cow in Canada 08/12
Lot 1C- $70,000-1st choice Supersire from 1 female due Jun’13 x OConnors Planet Lucia #1 Cow in Canada 08/12
Lot 1D- $85,000-1st choice Earnhardt from 3 pregs x OConnors Planet Lucia #1 Cow in Canada 08/12
Lot 1E- $70,000-1st choice Numero Uno from 2 pregs x OConnors Planet Lucia #1 Cow in Canada 08/12
Lot 1F- $30,000-1st choice from 6 Cashcoin & 6 Man O Man transfers due Aug’13 x OConnors Planet Lucia #1 Cow in Canada 08/12
Lot 2- $475,000- Numero Uno x OConnors Planet Lucia GTPI+3823 #1 Cow in Canada, Numero Uno’s last Hope #1 GTPI Numero Uno in the World, #4 GTPI overall GTPI in World (09.12)
Lot 3-$365,000- Last Dance #7 Heifer in Canada GLPI+3710 #1 GPA LPI Numero Uno in the World Buyer: Stanton Farms, ON
Lot 4- $90,000-Mapelwood Snowman Lexus GTPI+2356 GPA LPI+2673 DGV+3798 (Snowman x Planet Lucia-#1 Cow in Canada (08/12) Buyer: Stanton Farms, ON
Lot 4 A- $37,000- Choice Mapelwood Snowman Lexus GTPI+2356 x Ernhardt pregs due in june guaranteed 1 polled female
Lot 5- $45,000- OConnors Snowman Lexie GTPI+2194 PTAT+3.01 (Snowman x Planet Lucia #1 Cow in Canada)
Lot 5A- $15,000 1st Choice Supersire, McCutchen & Numero Uno due July 13 x OConnors Snowman Lexie GTPI+2194 PTAT +3.01
Lot 6- $135,000 – OConnors Boulder Luna GTPI+2499 PTAT+3.23 GPA LPI+3357 DGV+3656 #1 Boulder in the World (boulder x Planet Lucia # 1 GLPI Cow in Canada)
Lot 6A-$38,000- 1st Choice Hunter pregs due July ’13 x OConnors Boulder Luna #1 Boulder in the World
Lot 6B- $35,000-1st Choice Supersire & Cashcoin due July ’13 x OConnors Boulder Luna #1 Boulder in the World
Lot 7- $70,000- Mapel Wood Boulder Limerick GTPI+2394 PTAT +3.17 GPA LPI+3537 DGV+3578(Boulder x OConnors Planet Lucia #1 GLPI in Canada)
Lot 7A- $18,000 – 1st Choice x McCutchen & Ernhardt PO & Supersire females due July’13 x Mapel Wood boulder Limerick #2 Boulder in the World tied for #13 GPA LPI heifer in Canada
Lot 8- $49,000- OConnors Epic Last chance GTPI+2319 PTAT+3.38 GPA LPI+3465 DGV+3569 #20 Heifer in Canada 08/12 (Epic x OConnors Planet Lucia #1 Cow in Canada 08/12) Buyer: Stanton Farms
Lot 9-$14,500- Mapel Wood Sudan last Time GTPI+2174 PTAT+2.52 GPA LPI+3050 (Sudan x OConnors Planet Lucia #1 Cow in Canada 08/12)
Lot 10 -$14,500 Mapel Wood Willrock Lovelace GTPI+2286 GPA LPI+3003 DGV+3151 #1 GTPI & GPA LPI Willrock in the World (Willrock x OConnors Planet Lucia)
Lot 10A- $8,000-1st Choice Hunter female due July ’13 x Mapel Wood Willrock Lovelace #1 Willrock Heifer in the world
Lot 11- $9500-OConnors Willrock Lovable GTPI+2235 PTAT+3.55 #2 GA LPI & GTPI Willrock in the World
Lot 12- $77,000-Mapel Wood MOM Lucy GP-84 2yr GPA LPI +3299 sells with embryo contract 6 @$3000 MAS full sister to Lexor dam Lilac x Lila Z) Buyer; Morsan Farms Ltd.
Lot 12 B- $29.000- 1st choice from 2 Ladd P females due Nov ’12 1 guaranteed polled female x Mapel Wood OM Lucy GP-84 2yr
Lot 12A- $30,000-1st choice 2 Mogul females due Nov’12 x Mapel Wood MOM Lucy GP-84 2yr
Lot 13A- $6500-1st choice 4 females by Snowman x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89
Lot 13B- $16,000-1st Choice Numero Uno female due Dec’12 & Jan’13 x Comestar Goldwyn Lilac VG-89
Lot 13C-$14,000-1st Choice 1 Sid female preg x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89
Lot 14- $95,000 – OConnors Living the Dream GTPI+2515 GPA LPI+3755 DGV+4144 DGV+19 Type #2 GPA LPI Epic dtr in the world (Epic x Mapel Wood MOM Lucy GPA LPI+3299 x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 147 – $20,000- Cedarwal Aftershock Lady Z fancy Aftershock x Lylehaven Lila Z
Lot 15- $16,500-Mapel Wood Epic Limitless GTPI+2280 GPA LPI+2960 DGV+2949 DGV+17 Type (Epic x Mapel Wood MOM Lucy GPA LPI+3299 x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 16- $8,000- O Connors Epic Lotto GTPI+2230 PTAT+2.37 GPA LPI+2951 Jul’12 (Epic x Mapel Wood MOM Lucy GP-84 2yr GPA LPI +$3299)
Lot 17- $8000-Mapel Wood Sudan Lexie GPA LPI+3178 DGV+195 kg combined F&P GTPI+2273 (Sudan x MOM Lucy GP-84 x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 18 – $6200- O Connors Sudan Lullaby GTPI+2182 PTAT+2.41 (Sudan x MOM Lucy GP-84 x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 19- $60,000- Mapel Wood Ladd laine PO RDC PA LPI+2728 (Ladd P x Mapel Wood MOM Lucy GP-84 2yr GPA LPI +3299)
Lot 20 – $12,500 Genervations Freddie Lasby preg due Epic GTPI+1985 (Freddie x Godlwyn Lilac)
Lot 21- $12,500 Genervations Freddie Lisa GTPI+2149 due Mar to Brawler (Freddie x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 21A- $400 per embryo
Lot 21B- $400 per embryo
Lot 23- $8500-O Connors Epic Langley GTPI+2056 PTAT+2.54 (Epic x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 25 – $17,000-Mapel Wood Shottle Lacey VG-86 2yr Shottle sister to Planet Lucia (Shottle x Comestar Goldwyn Lilac VG-89 x Lila Z)
Lot 26- $8500- OConnors Boulder Lie to Me GLPI+2116 PTAT+3.24 GPA LPI+2334 (Boulder x Mapel Wood Shottle Lacey VG-86 2yr)
Lot 27- $17,000-Mapel Wood Shottle Lilac GP-83 2yr x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89 x Lila Z)
Lot 27A- $4800-1st choice of 3 McCutchen pregs due May ’13 x Mapel Wood Shottle Lilac GP-83
Lot 27B- $600/emb 5 #1 embryos by McCutchen x Mapel Wood Shottle Lilac GP-83
Lot 28 – $8000-Hazbro Sid Loca (Sid x Mapel Wood Shottle Lili VG-88 x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 29- $3000- Jul 12 Windhammer x Goldwyn Lilac
Lot 30 – $2900- Sept 2012 Windhammer x Goldwyn Lilac
Lot 31- $3500- Sept 2012 Windhammer x Goldwyn Lilac
Lot 32-$3600-OConnors Million Lilly (Million x Godlwyn Lilac)
Lot 33- $1600-Brewmaster x Million Lilly
Lot 34- $2500-OConnors Ladd Lacy GPTI+2016 GPA LPI+2352 (Ladd P x GoldwyN Lilac)
Lot 35- $33,000- Mapel Wood Epic Lauren (Sept 12 LPI+2531 Epic x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 36- $OConnors Ladd Lula (Ladd x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 37-$2900-O Connors Brewmaster Latte GTPI2095 GLPI+2495 (Brewmaster x Goldwyn Lilac)
Lot 38- $2800-OconorsLadd Lakisha (Ladd P x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 39- $2200 – Mapel Wood Ladd Lana LPI+2531 (Ladd P x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 40- $4100- Mapel Wood MW Brewmaster Lorina GTPI+2224 (Brewmaster x Goldwyn Lilac VG-89)
Lot 41- $2300
Lot 43-$32,000
Lot 44- $600
Lot 45-$5500
Lot 46-$14,000
Lot 47-$8000
Lot 48-$4000
Lot 50-$2600
Lot 52-$4800
Lot 53- $2400
Lot 54- $2600
Lot 55- $2400
Lot 57- $2600
Lot 63-$4000
Lot 64-$2900
Lot 67-$10,500
Lot 68-$6100
Lot 69-$3100
Lot 69a- $400 per embryo
Lot 69B- $400 per embryo
Lot 70-$1600
Lot 71-$2100
Lot 72-$5200
Lot 75- $113,000- Mapel Wood Colt Brenda RDC PO (Colt P x Geni I Beq Shottle Bombi EX)
Lot 86 -$83,000-Gen I Beq Man O Man Bibi VG GTPI+2217 GPA LPI+3156 DGV+3328 (Man O Man x Shottle Barbi full sister to Bombi, Bibi is maternal sister to Brawler)
Lot 86A- $21,000-Ladd or Supersire pregs x Man O Man Bibi VG
Lot 86B- $2200 per embryo-6 nbr 1 McCutchen embryos, Galaxy, Mascalese x Man o Man Bibi VG
Lot 87- $125,000-OConnors Snowman Bermuda GTPI+2338 GPA LPI+3711 DGV+4077 DGV+294 combined F+P (Snowman x Manoman Bibi)
Lot 88- $18,000- Mapel Wood Epic Believe in Me GTPI+2247 GPA LPI+3140 DGV+3154 (Epic x Manoman Bibi)
Lot 89- $15,000 choice of 4 females
Lot 89A- $44,000- Choice of 2 Ladd P Females 1 polled female one due Dec`12 from Manoman Bibi VG
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