Marketing practices of smallholder beef cattle producers in East Java

Abstract

We describe and analyse the marketing practices of cow-calf producers in lowland and upland sites in East Java, based on a questionnaire survey of 184 farmers and 30 cattle traders. Information was sought on types of cattle sold, the point of sale, reasons for selling, and the price of cattle sold. Most of the farmers in lowland site sold calves (male and female in equal numbers), while upland farmers sold calves, young cattle, and adults (with a higher proportion of females). The main reason for selling was to meet the farm-household’s immediate consumption needs; a secondary reason was to acquire durable assets for the household. Most of the cattle were sold for cash to village traders, who in turn mostly sold in the sub-district market-place. Some farmers used a regular trader while others chose a trader based on availability and price. There was no significant difference in the price paid by traders coming from different locations as all purchases were at the farm-gate. Crossbreed animals obtained a higher price than Ongole Cross (PO), and male cattle obtained a higher price than female cattle. There were no price differences between lowland and upland sites, indicating
an efficient and well-integrated regional market.