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ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of phenotypic, genotypic, and auction characteristics that may influence the selling prices of bulls. Data from 1,540 Braford and 1,179 Brangus bulls sold at auctions in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were collected and evaluated individually. Body condition score (BCS), muscularity, frame, foreskin size, presence or absence of horns, and data regarding the auction such as name/venue, event edition, forms of payment, among others, were considered. Information such as weight at the time of sale, scrotal circumference (SC), expected profit differences, selection indexes, and date of birth were collected from the catalogs supplied at the auctions. To obtain the influence of the selected explanatory variables throughout the conditional distribution of bull prices, a quantile regression was used, and the quantiles were established as follows: 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th. The buyers of Braford and Brangus bulls valued characteristics such as age, weight, and SC in relation to frame, muscularity, BCS, and foreskin size. In addition, the price behavior at different auctions was positively related to the operation time of the auction in this market and with the reputation of the seller. Regarding genetic variables of Brangus bulls, these had little or no influence on the selling price. There was a positive influence on the weaning index in the 90th quantile and on the final index in the 50th and 75th quantiles. Buyers of synthetic bull breeds at auctions value the phenotypic characteristics of bulls more than they do genetic characteristics, which may not reflect permanent gains in the cattle herd.

This research determines which factors most influence the purchase price of bulls in livestock auctions in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. Hence, 760 beef bulls sold in eleven different auctions between August and November 2013 were analysed. The data consists of: breed, muscularity (MUSC), frame (FRAME), body condition score (BCS), scrotal circumference (SC) and body weight (BW). Other data such as the animal entry order and the purchase price of the bulls was collected during the auction. A linear generalized model was used to evaluate the interaction of each variable with the purchase price of the bulls. An ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc was used to compare the differences between the categories that influenced the purchase price of bulls and were realized in the software SPSS 20.0. All breeds presented declining prices from the first to the second entry order and increasing purchase prices from the order third to forth. Bulls with large frame received higher purchase prices independent of the auction order, except for the second order of entry, in which medium and small animals were more valued. Angus bulls obtained the highest prices in relation to the breeds Brangus and Hereford. The frame and breed constituted the main phenotypic characteristics that influence in price. In addition, the order of entry of bulls in the ring influence the purchase price.

ABSTRACT: The demand for beef cattle with specific traits is evident from sales in auctions. While purchasing, buyers consider individual traits (e.g., muscularity, frame, racial composition, and weight) as predictors of quality, and adjust their bids according to their preferences. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of phenotypic and racial characteristics in determining the final sale price of calves of beef cattle in official auctions at the western border of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Five-hundred and seven lots of calves sold in calf auctions from five cities on the western border of Rio Grande do Sul were evaluated. The assignment of visual scores was based on their genetic group, frame, muscularity, and coat. Analysis of variance and the Tukey test at 5% significance level were performed for comparing the final average prices. Variables with the greatest impact on price were the genetic group and the size of the animals. Animals of synthetic breeds obtained higher value in the three years studied and animals without racial definition showed considerable devaluation and a decrease in supply. Larger animals had less value.