This study aims to weigh the influence of observable traits on live cattle prices, i.e., the percent impact on the final price of various physical characteristics. These characteristics are those that commonly are published in auction catalogues, as is the case of: average lot weight, lot size, age, breed and corporal condition. In addition, the influence of seasonality and business cycles were also explored. Using the data collected from the records of El Tattersall S.A., a hedonic price function was fitted. The results showed that the most influential variables with respect to the price of beef cattle, in decreasing order, are as follows: 'condition', 'breed', 'quarter of sale' and 'year', which are followed far behind by 'lot size' and 'average weight'.... |