A Latent Class Analysis of Stocker Cattle Producer Purchasing Preferences

The stocker industry plays numerous critical roles in the cattle industry and is the most flexibleÑyet complicatedÑsegment of the beef supply chain. Stocker producersÕ calf-purchasing decisions have historically been diverse and difficult to characterize. This study uses data from a unique survey to analyze factors affecting stocker producersÕ calf-purchasing decisions. Latent class analysis is used to classify stocker producers into subgroups based on cattle-purchasing preferences. Results indicate that stocker producers can be divided into four distinct latent classes according to calf-purchasing preferences.