The Cow-Calf Operation Retained Ownership Decision

Cow-calf producers have the opportunity to maintain ownership of their animals beyond the traditional sale point at weaning. Potential benefits of retained ownership postweaning include increasing animal value through weight gain, obtaining postweaning performance information, and capturing rewards associated with superior genetics and preventative health programs. Possessing calves through the finishing phase also increases risk for the cow-calf producer compared with marketing at weaning due to price uncertainty at the time of sale and postweaning performance variability. The decision to retain ownership should be based on an understanding of current beef industry structure, an estimation of potential risks (e.g., price, health, performance), and the risk preferences of the decision maker.