We only look expensive…
April 25, 2011
Returning from a trip to Oklahoma recently, I passed through Yates Center, KS. Just north of the intersection of highways 54 and 75, on the west side of 75, rests “Berts Tavern“.
Their sign reads: “Berts Tavern – We only look expensive”. Anyone with any sense of humor has to find this quite funny. For me, it was hilarious! I love this type of humor. The clapboard building, with faded out paint and rough-appearing picket fence for what I assumed was the beer garden (no, I did NOT stop in!) was classic. Adding to the uniqueness of it is the absence of the apostrophe between the “t” and “s” in “Berts.” This just makes it all the more fun, whether done on purpose or by the continued confusion among most people who slept during grammar and English in 5th grade about when and where apostrophes are needed!
As I pondered this through my weak little brain, I came up with an analogy: those high-priced Angus calves only look expensive…….of course they often are actually expensive; but delving more deeply into the true meaning one should look at a recent white paper entitled “Profit Profiles: Factors Driving Cattle Feeding Profitability.”
The most profitable cattle had the highest weight gains and the heaviest carcasses, but they also had the highest percentage of carcasses grading USDA Prime and Choice. The high profit third of the steers had 41 lb heavier hot carcass weights with the same number of days on feed when compared to the low profit 1/3. The top third also graded seven points higher in the USDA Choice category and nearly three points higher on CAB acceptance rates (upper 2/3rds of Choice).
Additionally there were two percentage points higher on Yield Grade 4 and 5 carcasses. From 2004-2009 (inclusive; 443,129 head represented),the highest profit steers always had better grading cattle! I invite you to take a look at this publication and decide for yourself.
By the way,Berts does look like a fun place!
And also by the way…….they only look expensive!
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