Factors affecting the selling prices of calves in auctions in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of genetic group and calf sex on selling prices in auctions in the state of Santa Catarina (SC), Brazil. We evaluated 33,143 animals, representing 3,587 lots in 47 auctions from 2009 to 2014. The calves were classified according to genetic groups: British breed or crossbreed (BX); Continental breed or crossbreed (CX); Zebu breed or crossbreed (ZC); British and Continental crossbreed (BC); and Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbreed (TI). The lots were composed of male and female calves. The years presenting low and high changes in the price of calves were similar to the variation in the price of beef cattle and, in 2014, the calf price reached its highest value (R$5.36). Male calves were sold at prices higher than female calves (average 7.8%), but this difference was driven by year of analysis, in which the closest approach occurred during periods of reduction in the price of live cattle in SC (2012 and 2013). Calves of genetic groups ZX and TI received, on average, lower prices (R$4.49 and R$4.64, respectively) compared with the other groups. In 2013, males from the BX group had greater variation in price compared with CX (3.9%) and BC (5.7%). On the other hand, female heifers from the BX group received higher average prices in 2011 compared with the CX, BC, IT, and ZX groups (8.1, 8.5, 14.7, and 16.5%, respectively). Recently, female British heifers have had a greater appreciation in auctions held in SC, possibly for their reproductive performance potential of beef cows. Thus, sex and different genetic groups are factors that impact the selling price of calves in the SC region