How does the Shrink Factor work?
Shrink as you know is fill, grass, water, feed and manure. It takes 24 hour stand to empty an animal's stomach. Overnight stand shrink is as follows:
- Calves: 3% to 6% of the total body weight;
- Yearling: 7% to 9% of the total body weight;
- Cow or Bull: 8% to 10% of the total body weight.
Take Notice:
- 600 lb steer - Overnight stand has 6% shrink on total body weight
- 600 lbs x 6% = 36 lost lbs
- 600 lb steer - 3% pencil shrink at presort sale
- 600 lbs x 3% = 18 lost lbs
- Difference: 36 - 18 = 18 difference in lost pounds
- 18 lbs x $1.50 = $27.00 lost dollars per animal
- Money you would lose when you sell over night stand vs. presort sale
- Sell 60 calves: 60 x $27.00 = $1,620.00
Pencil shrink is the amount of weight deducted from the animals live weight to arrive at a sale weight or pay weight. This is so the buyers receive a fair value for their dollar, because they purchase cattle by the pound and any weight loss can affect the profit potential of the feedlots.
The pencil is the best tool available, next to a 24 hour stand. Here are our shrink rates.
Pre-Sort Shrink
- 0 to 25 Miles - 3.50%
- 26 to 35 Miles - 3.25%
- 36 to 45 Miles - 3.00%
- 46 to 60 Miles - 2.75%
- 61 to 75 Miles - 2.50%
- 76 to 90 Miles - 2.25%
- 91 to 100 Miles - 2.00%
- 101 to 125 Miles - 1.50%
- 126 to 150 Miles - 1.00%
- 151 to 175 Miles - 0.50%
- 176 + Miles - 0%
If you prefer a 24 hour stand, let us know, then no shrink will be taken on your cattle.