Setting Pay Price Protocol for Cattle
PAY PRICE is reviewed monthly by the Board of Directors (BOD). In times of extreme price volatility, more frequent review may be warranted at the discretion of the BOD.
TIMING – The BOD will review and make changes, as necessary, to the pay price during the monthly BOD meeting, typically the third Monday of each month. Price changes are normally effective the 1st of the following month unless otherwise noted.
MARKETING INDEX – The BOD will use as a basis for their review, the USDA Weekly National Carlot Meat Report, Weekly Average Carcass Price Equivalent Index Value (Page 3) for Choice 600-900 lb. carcasses. http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/nw_ls410.txt
VARIANCE – Price changes are often recommended when there is a significant difference in the posted USDA Average Carcass price from the month before. These reported prices are running average prices from Midwestern U.S. livestock markets.
PREMIUM – Our goal is to maintain a premium over the index price for our final payout price to Members.
WGBC BEEF CATTLE Tier System Effective February 24, 2025 (applied to carcass hanging weights)
The WGBC BOD has approved a simpler price tier structure that will greatly benefit Members. Any questions, please contact us.
| TIER | USDA GRADE | MARBLING SCORE | ||
| CG Bonus | Choice | > 0 | $0.10/lb. Quality Bonus for Choice carcass grades | |
| Tier 1 | Select | 40 – 90 | ||
| Tier 2 | Select | 0 – 30 | ||
| Cull | Standard | < 90 | AND Culls & Bulls when requested to be shipped | |
| Veal calves $3.75/lb. (limited offers) | ||||
| Volume Commitment Bonus I (after 10 head beef fat animals are shipped / farm – $0.05/lb. HWT will be added to producer pay price for Tiers 1 & 2 and Choice Grade animals. | ||||
| Volume Commitment Bonus II (after 20 head beef fat animals are shipped / farm – $0.10/lb. HWT will be added to producer pay price for Tiers 1 & 2 and Choice Grade animals. | ||||
WGBC Cattle Transport Support Program
WGBC will support the cost for Members’ cattle to be shipped, with reimbursement included in your payment for cattle. The amount of support will be determined by the mileage from your farm to the processor. The distance will be determined using a Rand McNally mileage calculator website, using your membership address on file and the processor’s location. Number of head will be counted when hanging weights are received from the processor and the reimbursement rate will be as follows:
| DISTANCE | REMIMBURSEMENT |
| 0 – 49 miles | $0/head |
| 50 – 99 miles | $10/head |
| 100 – 149 miles | $20/head |
| 150 – 199 miles | $30/head |
| 200 – 249 miles | $40/head |
| 250+ miles | $50/head |
PLEASE NOTE!
Members are responsible for payment to livestock haulers hired to transport cattle – as requested by that livestock hauler. The transaction for transporting livestock is between the Member and the livestock hauler.
COMPENSATION FROM WGBC WILL BE PAID LATER. It is included in our payment for your animals – and assigned per animal.
CONTACT Wisconsin Grass-fed Beef Cooperative:
Any questions or if you are interested in shipping cattle through Wisconsin Grass-fed Beef Cooperative, please contact us at 800-745-9093.