Adding stockers to cow/calf operation

[shaz]

I have to cull about 20 cows this year out 50. Thought about adding 20 or more stocker heifers (4wts) in Nov/Dec. Those calves would run with the herd and fall into the same rotational grazing after I pull the bull out.

I'll sell the heifers in June next year if there's a decent profit to be had or keep most as breeders if the market tanks.

NOTE: I have about 200 grazing acres with fescue clover and weeds Should have plenty of hay but the quality is mediocre. Plan to drill 40-60 acres of rye grass this Aug.
My hay costs are low but I don't do any real feeding except for bunk-breaking and luring cows into the working pen.

Does this plan sound reasonable? Flexible enough?

 

[piedmontese]

the thing that i would be concerned with is keeping stockers as breeders unless you know the history of them.

 

[msscamp]

I have to cull about 20 cows this year out 50. Thought about adding 20 or more stocker heifers (4wts) in Nov/Dec. Those calves would run with the herd and fall into the same rotational grazing after I pull the bull out.

I'll sell the heifers in June next year if there's a decent profit to be had or keep most as breeders if the market tanks.

NOTE: I have about 200 grazing acres with fescue clover and weeds Should have plenty of hay but the quality is mediocre. Plan to drill 40-60 acres of rye grass this Aug.
My hay costs are low but I don't do any real feeding except for bunk-breaking and luring cows into the working pen.

Does this plan sound reasonable? Flexible enough?

Where are you planning on buying these stockers from? I would be concerned about health issues and endangering my cow/calf operation.

 

[Stocker Steve]

Why not retain some of your own calves? Less work and less risk. I do this on the deeded place when we have good forage.

I sometimes run a few new unproven purchased cows with my stockers. The stockers like having a Mom around, but the calves seem to have more health issues than usual...

 

[novatech]

I have to cull about 20 cows this year out 50. Thought about adding 20 or more stocker heifers (4wts) in Nov/Dec. Those calves would run with the herd and fall into the same rotational grazing after I pull the bull out.

I'll sell the heifers in June next year if there's a decent profit to be had or keep most as breeders if the market tanks.

NOTE: I have about 200 grazing acres with fescue clover and weeds Should have plenty of hay but the quality is mediocre. Plan to drill 40-60 acres of rye grass this Aug.
My hay costs are low but I don't do any real feeding except for bunk-breaking and luring cows into the working pen.

Does this plan sound reasonable? Flexible enough?

IMO stockers could/should be part of pasture management within a cow calf operation. From what I have seen to many people overstock their pastures. When there is a lack of rain they hold on to good cows hoping rain is going to come. They finally give up when they get tired of feeding hay. Worse, they have already killed the grass by grazing to the ground. I consider stockers more liquid. They can be bought and sold as the grass allows. With the use of stockers one may be able to hold on to cattle he as spent a lifetime breeding.
I realize there are other viable options such as stockpiled forage and clipping. One has to consider all options that may fit their situation.

 

[dun]

In order for stockers to really work well they require a higher quality forage generally then even nursing cows. If a wet cow loses a little condition it's not that big of a deal, if stockers lose a bit of conditions you're gonna lose money on them.

 

[1982vett]

Why not retain some of your own calves? Less work and less risk. I do this on the deeded place when we have good forage.

I sometimes run a few new unproven purchased cows with my stockers. The stockers like having a Mom around, but the calves seem to have more health issues than usual...

Because the basics of drought management say....you cull marginal cows and problem cows first. Then you sell cows under 3 and over 8. Next you sell off the calves and dry up your cows. Once you make it to here whats to keep. Remember the animal with the highest nutritional requirement are those somewhere between 3 months and 3 years of age.

So as a blanket answer, this has to be adpted to each and everyones own production plan. Other things do come into play in your decision making.

 

[Stocker Steve]

I need flood management. May need to cull heavies to minimze the plugging, or else develop a new "Big Foot" breed.

 

[dun]

I need flood management. May need to cull heavies to minimze the plugging, or else develop a new "Big Foot" breed.

All that will do is make biggers holes.
I know from experience that once a pasture has been badly pugged you can barely drive across it and trying to mow it for hay is a lost cause

 

[shaz]

Why not retain some of your own calves? Less work and less risk. I do this on the deeded place when we have good forage.

I sometimes run a few new unproven purchased cows with my stockers. The stockers like having a Mom around, but the calves seem to have more health issues than usual...

I'd really like to downsize to 20-30 cows so I can just use one bull and avoid bullfights. I do need enough volume to justify the upkeep of this place though.
As far as health goes I can isolate the calves at receiving time, shot of Nuflor (cuz that might be the only antibiotic I can get), regular vaccines. Keep them in the drylot for a couple of weeks.

 

[1982vett]

Why not retain some of your own calves? Less work and less risk. I do this on the deeded place when we have good forage.

I sometimes run a few new unproven purchased cows with my stockers. The stockers like having a Mom around, but the calves seem to have more health issues than usual...

I'd really like to downsize to 20-30 cows so I can just use one bull and avoid bullfights. I do need enough volume to justify the upkeep of this place though.
As far as health goes I can isolate the calves at receiving time, shot of Nuflor (cuz that might be the only antibiotic I can get), regular vaccines. Keep them in the drylot for a couple of weeks.

Oh your going to LOVE this.....









go to year round calving and one bull can handle 50 cows... :lol:

 

[BC]

This may not fit your plans, but you could run the stockers ahead of the cows in your rotation. This will allow them to have a little better quality forage to meet their higher nutrional needs. Noble Foundation in Ardmore, OK has done this for years.

 

[JSCATTLE]

Why not retain some of your own calves? Less work and less risk. I do this on the deeded place when we have good forage.

I sometimes run a few new unproven purchased cows with my stockers. The stockers like having a Mom around, but the calves seem to have more health issues than usual...

I'd really like to downsize to 20-30 cows so I can just use one bull and avoid bullfights. I do need enough volume to justify the upkeep of this place though.
As far as health goes I can isolate the calves at receiving time, shot of Nuflor (cuz that might be the only antibiotic I can get), regular vaccines. Keep them in the drylot for a couple of weeks.

Oh your going to LOVE this.....









go to year round calving and one bull can handle 50 cows... :lol:

And its nice to have a few calves to sell around Christmas time.makes it easier on Santa ...