Reading the Recommendation

When you request a sell signal for a group, Cattle360 returns a detailed recommendation. This article explains how to read and interpret each part of the result.

Recommendation Components

A complete recommendation includes the following sections:

Animal Mix Distribution

A breakdown showing the percentage of each animal type and sex in the group. For example:

  • Steers: 75%
  • Heifers: 25%

The dominant type determines which market segment is used for pricing.

Price Per CWT

The estimated price per hundredweight (100 lbs) based on current USDA auction data for your market segment and weight bracket. This is the core benchmark figure.

Expected Gross Per Head

The estimated revenue per animal, calculated by applying the price per cwt to the group’s average weight. This gives you a quick sense of potential income per head.

Recommendation Reasons

Plain-language explanations for the recommendation. These may include:

  • Price trend direction — Whether prices are rising, stable, or declining.
  • Comparison to recent history — How current prices compare to the recent average.
  • Weight bracket fit — Whether your group’s weight is well-matched to an active market bracket.
  • Data quality notes — Warnings if estimated weights are used or if data is limited.

Available Sale Barns

A list of sale barns with comparable data for your group, including:

  • Top 3 “hot barns” — The three auctions with the highest head count in your market segment and weight range. High volume often means more competitive bidding.
  • Barn location and recent sale dates — Helps you plan logistics and timing.

Warnings to Watch For

  • “Using estimated weight” — The group does not have recent actual weight records. The benchmark may be less accurate. Consider weighing your animals for a better result.
  • “Using statewide data” — There is not enough data from a specific barn, so the benchmark is based on aggregated state data.
  • “Mixed group composition” — The group contains a mix of animal types or sexes, which may reduce the precision of the market match.

Tips

  • Focus on the trend. A good price that’s declining may not be as attractive as a slightly lower price that’s rising.
  • Consider the hot barns. Selling where buyer traffic is highest increases the chance of competitive pricing.
  • Re-check weekly. Market conditions shift frequently. A recommendation from last week may no longer apply.