Bull buying season has begun and will continue into the spring, with progressive seedstock operations offering yearling bulls. Accordingly, Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist, sit’s time to consider – what’s a good bull worth in 2026?
THE ANSWER
In the 1980’s, the answer was “A good bull is worth the value of five calves he sires,” Johnson said in a letter called Cow-Calf Corner. It is a good rule-of-thumb. The problem is it doesn’t exactly narrow down the range.
“A good bull” needs to be defined, he said.
For this discussion, the qualifications to meet “Good Bull” status are:
- A bull that sells with a registration paper that includes pedigree information and a complete set of genetic values (including EPDs and Bio-economic indices) to be considered in the selection process.
- A bull that has passed a Breeding Soundness Exam and sells with a breeding soundness warranty (terms will vary).
- A bull that will add value to calves sired because he fits the breeding objectives, production system and marketing plans.
When will the calves be marketed, and at what value? Johnson asked. Using end-of-2025 market prices Derrell Peel’s article in the Dec. 29, 2025, issue of Cow-Calf Corner:
- 500-pound weaned steer calves were worth about $4.80 a pound for a value of about $2,400 a head. Therefore, if the marketing plan is to sell weaned steers, $2,400 x 5 = $12,000 is the answer, he said.
- 800-pound yearling steers were worth about $3.50 a pound for a value of $2,800 a head. Therefore, if the plan is to sell yearling steers, $2,800 x 5 = $14,000 is the answer, Johnson said.
- 1,500-pound finished beef steers were worth $2.29 a pound live for a value of $3,435 each. Therefore, if the plan is to retain ownership through finishing and sell fed cattle on a live weight basis, $3,435 x 5 = $17,175 is the answer, he said.
ONLY A RANGE
Those figures are not exact because there are many variables in play, Johnson said. One key point is that the longer the calves are owned before marketing, the greater the value of the bull to the operation.
Retained ownership provides more time and opportunity to capture the value of the investment in genetics, he said. And, it’s noteworthy that the value added to replacement females a bull will sire has not been considered in this illustration.
Bulls used to sire the next generation of cows have an even greater long-term economic effect on the profit potential of an operation and should be valued accordingly, Johnson said.
Cow/calf operators should consider their breeding goals, production system and marketing plan, he said. Doing so should dictate where to apply selection pressure.
Genetic values pay when you purchase bulls capable of improving genetic potential for the specific traits that will translate to added value at the intended marketing endpoint.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $234.80 per cwt to $240.00, compared with last week’s range of $232.66 to $237.00 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $365.91 per cwt to $371.34, compared with $365.05 to $371.88.
The USDA choice cutout Tuesday was down $0.79 per cwt at $368.11 while select was down $1.93 at $367.12. The choice/select spread widened to $2.92 from $1.78 with 83 loads of fabricated product and 20 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef as $410.43 per cwt, and 50% beef was $149.42.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $0.95 to $1.10 a bushel over the Mar corn contract, which settled at $4.26 1/2, down $0.01 3/4.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Monday was $364.73 per cwt, up $1.16. This compares with Tuesday’s Jan contract settlement of $366.85, up $0.15, and Mar’s $362.00, down $0.60.