The term "Slide" refers to an increasingly common method of establishing the final sales price on a sliding scale based on the actual net weight of the cattle in relation to the stated "base weight". The purpose of a "slide" is to provide a simple and equitable mechanism to adjust the sales price of cattle based on actual net weight.
For example, consider a seller who contracts his steer calves for $1 per lb. at an estimated or "base weight" of 500 lbs. with a 5 cent slide. A "5 cent slide" means for every pound over 500 lbs., the sales price will be lowered by $0.05 per cwt.
If the steers actually weigh 515 lbs., or 15 lbs. over the base weight, the following calculation will be made:
(15 lbs. x $0.05 = $0.75), which results in the final sales price being ($1 per lb. less $0.075 = $0.9925 per lb.) or $99.25 per cwt.
The amount of the slide is negotiable, but some sellers stipulate that the slide be "up and down" or work both ways. In the example above, if the steer calves had only weighed 485 or 15 lbs. less than the base weight and the slide was "up and down", the 5 cent slide would result in the sales price being increased to $100.75 per cwt.
. Slide Calculator... .Calculates Price and $'s per head for various prices, slide rates, and base and pay weights.
