Black vs Red

[Brute 23]

I sold some calves this past week and saw a pretty interesting comparison.

We sold calves for my boss, myself, and my family this past week. We have a decent group of calves from #500-525. The black or black and white steers brought, on avg, $100 more than red, beefmaster type bulls.

The blk & b&w were steered, had ear tags, and were in good fleshy shape. They were 1/4-1/8 ear.

The beefmaster calves were more lean, bulls, and had no tags or markings.

 

[Hpacres440p]

I sold some calves this past week and saw a pretty interesting comparison.

We sold calves for my boss, myself, and my family this past week. We have a decent group of calves from #500-525. The black or black and white steers brought, on avg, $100 more than red, beefmaster type bulls.

The blk & b&w were steered, had ear tags, and were in good fleshy shape. They were 1/4-1/8 ear.

The beefmaster calves were more lean, bulls, and had no tags or markings.

So was it color, condition, or balls?

 

[coachg]

D ; all of the above

 

[BC]

Brute, that is not apples to apples. Steer vs bull is $5 to $8 per cwt. discount to the bulls (more in August to October time period). 1/4 & 1/8 blood calves vs 3/8 to 1/2 bloods is another $5 to $6 per cwt. discount.

 

[bird dog]

Yep, balls and no tags tell the buyer the calves haven't been through the chute. Higher risk. A little ear is preferred in South TX but once you get North of Waco, not so much. Its way worse for eared calves selling in the fall.

 

[Brute 23]

Ya I wasn't really going for apples to apples as much as operation to operation.

Black vs Red is probably not the best title but it's what came to my head.

It's more of a comparison of doing the black calves with ear tags, steers, low Brahman influence, etc.vs red beefmaster that have never been touched before. Doing it "their" was vs "your way" maybe?

It's hard to put an exact break down on each thing. From my experience the steer is a nickel or so, the red is a dime or so, the little bit more Brahman is probably a nickel or so. Im not sure how body condition may have helped them vs hurt us. Their calves were good stout calves, just leaner, which helps in some cases.

Just talking out loud.

 

[Brute 23]

So was it color, condition, or balls?

I would agree with... all the above.

For both of us it was a good comparison if the extra dollars invested and difference of operations is worth the additional dollars.

 

[coachg]

Sent 7 average black calves last week . Highest was a 415 lb bull they marked as a steer . Brought 2.30. Lowest a heifer 515 lb at a 1.82 . Sent 5 more today . Better , heavier calves except for one that will probably be around 450 but the best heifer in the bunch . 3 heifers and 2 bulls . Hoping they stay high . Might get my tractor paid for !

 

[Brute 23]

Sent 7 average black calves last week . Highest was a 415 lb bull they marked as a steer . Brought 2.30. Lowest a heifer 515 lb at a 1.82 . Sent 5 more today . Better , heavier calves except for one that will probably be around 450 but the best heifer in the bunch . 3 heifers and 2 bulls . Hoping they stay high . Might get my tractor paid for !

Good time to pay things off.

 

[MurraysMutts]

Yep. They ain't gonna get any cheaper any time soon!

 

[ClinchValley86]

Yep. They ain't gonna get any cheaper any time soon!

Hope you're right!

 

[Dave]

Yep. They ain't gonna get any cheaper any time soon!

B told me on Monday that you could insure "programed" 550 pound steers for $3.20 for next spring. I don't know where that was from. I didn't ask. My LRP listed steers under 599 pounds for April at $2.46.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

I was wondering just now if this "comparison" had been brought up. This is interesting. I'm gonna bump this and also put it in another forum as well. It'll stir the pot for sure. I have a feeling "Red vs. Black" is going to end up pretty much like "Apples vs. Oranges", but here goes!

https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cjas-2014-0161

 

[Brute 23]

It's always interesting to read things from years past and see where they are now.

With the current prices the way they are, I would say that hundred dollar spread has grown to as much as $200-300.

Last year a BM bull was due to come out. It was replaced with a 1/4 Brahman, 3/4 Black Angus Bull. His calves should be dropping here pretty quick. It will be an interesting comparison for what I would consider middle ground.