Estimating the Value of Source Verification in Iowa Feeder Cattle Markets

Source verification and pooling of feeder cattle into larger lots resulted in higher selling prices compared to more typical sales at a southern Iowa auction market. After higher prices due to larger lot sizes were accounted for, cattle that received a specified management program and were source verified as to origin received additional price premiums. The data do not distinguish between the value of the specific management program and the value of the source verification process. However, cow-calf producers participating in the program took home more money. This report continues a study published in the 2000 Beef Research Report by the same title. The previous study examined data collected in the years 1997-1998; this study examines data collected in the first study plus data collected in 1999-2000.