Livestock Producers Have App to Predict Market Plans

(SAN ANGELO, TX) Imagine being able to determine the best time to sell your livestock with an app. That has become a reality with a new Lamb and Goat Market Forecast app which helps producers pick the best time to sell by projecting marginal revenue per head. The predictive program was developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the San Angelo State University information technology department. According to Bill Thompson, AgriLife Extension economist, the app addresses the basic question producers face: “Should I sell now, or do retain ownership? And if I do wait, what are reasonable expectations for change in value?” The app helps optimize gross revenue per head based on the time of year, animal weight and cost of gain. It also provides current market values. Although there are many apps for cattle producers, Thompson says this is the first of its kind for lamb and goat producers. The app allows users to select if they want information on sheep or goats, then a series of easy prompts guides users through the process. The cost of gain slider bar allows users to see the effect of costs on the marginal revenue bar graphs. Available for iOS, the free app can be found here: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1467220182