How much does a Luxi yellow cattle cost per head? Market price analysis
The Luxi yellow cattle is famous for its large body size, stable genetic performance, strong pulling power, tolerance of coarse feed, ease of management, dry and elastic skin, and dual use for draft and meat. It has a high meat yield, tender meat, and fat evenly distributed among the muscle fibers, earning it the reputation of "streaky five-layer meat." It is one of the world's famous beef cattle breeds. Let's take a look below at how much a Luxi yellow cattle costs per head!
How much does a Luxi yellow cattle cost per head
The price of Luxi yellow cattle is basically similar across the country. A smaller calf not exceeding 200 jin costs about 2000 yuan, at 4 months old it costs about 3000 yuan per head, at 5 months old it costs about 3500-4000 yuan per head, at 6 months old it costs about 4000-4500 yuan per head, and at 7 months old it costs about 4500-5000 yuan per head.
Growth performance of Luxi yellow cattle
Luxi yellow cattle grow and develop quickly. At one year of age, body measurements can reach 79% of adult size, and body weight is about 10.1 times the birth weight. The individuals are tall and large. A bull has a withers height of 146.3 cm, body length of 160.9 cm, chest circumference of 206.36 cm, and body weight of 685.18 kg, with a maximum body weight of 1040 kg. According to slaughter measurements, the average dressing percentage of 18-month-old steers is 57.2%, net meat rate is 49.0%, bone-to-meat ratio is 1:6.0, fat-to-meat ratio is 1:4.23, and ribeye area is 89.1 sq cm. The average dressing percentage of adult cattle is 58.1%, net meat rate is 50.7%, bone-to-meat ratio is 1:6.9, fat-to-meat ratio is 1:37, and ribeye area is 94.2 sq cm. The muscle fibers are fine, the meat quality is good, the fat is evenly distributed, and the marbling is obvious. The hide is good and does not show hair follicles after processing. The temperament is gentle, the body is strong and disease-resistant, and it is easy to raise and manage.
Reproductive performance of Luxi yellow cattle
For Luxi yellow cattle, the age of sexual maturity is about 12 months for bulls and 8-10 months for cows. The breeding age is 2-2.5 years for bulls and 1.5-2 years for cows. Cows mature sexually earlier, and the age for first mating is generally 1.5-2 years; some can conceive at 8 months of age. Generally, one calf is produced per year, 7-8 calves in a lifetime, with a maximum of 15 calves. Bulls mature sexually later and generally begin mating after two years of age, with sexual function at its strongest before 5 years of age. Luxi yellow cattle are animals that come into heat year-round, but most are concentrated in June to September. The estrous cycle is 15-35 days, averaging 22 days. The gestation period of cows is 270-310 days, averaging 287 days. Generally, one calf is born per pregnancy, and the average reproductive survival rate is over 98%. The birth weight of male calves is 22-35 kg and of female calves is 18-30 kg. The weaning weight of male calves is about 145 kg and of female calves about 120 kg. The average daily gain during the suckling period is 0.63 kg for males and 0.55 kg for females.
Morphological characteristics of Luxi yellow cattle
The coat of Luxi yellow cattle ranges from light yellow to brownish red, with yellow being the most common. Generally, the coat color of the forequarters is darker than that of the hindquarters, and the coat color of bulls is darker than that of cows. The nose and skin are both flesh red, and some have black spots. Most cattle have complete or incomplete "three-pink" characteristics, namely pinkish-white eye rims, muzzle rings, and underbelly, commonly known as the "three-pink characteristic." The muzzle is mostly light flesh-colored, and some cattle have black patches or black spots on the muzzle. The horn shape is mostly "inverted splayed horns" or "shoulder-pole horns." Cows mostly have "dragon-gate horns," which are wax-yellow or amber in color. Bulls have a high, broad, and thick shoulder hump, a deep and wide chest, well-developed forequarters, and obvious dewlap; the middle body has a straight back and loin, and the ribs are arched and well sprung. The front hooves are shaped like wooden bowls, while the rear hooves are smaller, flat, and long. Cows have a relatively flat withers, a narrower front chest, a longer and more refined head, a square and large mouth, a longer neck, large bright and spirited eyes, strong and stiff limbs, mostly amber hooves, better-developed hindquarters, a short and straight back and loin, a slightly sloping rump, and a slender spindle-shaped tail. The body structure is divided into three types: high-shaft cattle, ground-gripping tiger cattle, and intermediate type.