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>If you are selling a baby that weighs 450
pounds for $300 and the price of meat is $1 per pound, I could buy
several, take them to the auction and make a quick profit. You don't think that
happens? I am not saying it is right, I am just saying that it happens. And not
just to PMU babies, but to other breeds and at other farms as
well.
Not at that price, it doesn't. The smaller
and younger the horse, the less the percentage of the carcass that is
meat. Hence, the less the horse is worth by the pound on the hoof.
Even when "prime" horses (good flesh, and weighing between 1000 and 1200
lbs) are going for top dollar, they rarely go for more than 80 to 90 cents
per lb. Most times they go for 40 to 60 cents per lb. When they are
at top price, you MIGHT get 25 to 30 cents per lb for a 450 lb
weanling. So if the babies are selling for $300 you can pretty well be
assured they are not going for slaughter. You're right that if a meat
buyer can make a profit turning these babies, he will--if a meat buyer can pick
one up like that for $75 to $100 or so, then it IS apt to go to
slaughter.
Just trying to get the picture a little more
accurate here as to when to worry that foals might be
slaughter-bound.
Heidi
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