Bred cow sales

[Dave]

A person could really get into the bred cow business this week. Madras had a bred cow special yesterday. Today Toppenish is having a bred cow special. They have nearly a thousand cows advertised plus "many smaller groups". There is a bred cow sale at Vale on Wednesday. No information on line about numbers of cows or sources. Thursday it is a bred cow sale at La Grande. They have a list of consignors showing the owner, description of the cows, calving period, and bull sources used. These are from 250 head to 30 head per owner. Plus they say many smaller groups from local ranches. Total over 1,000 head. The question is will I be busy waving my hand or sitting on my hands.

 

[farmerjan]

Regular monthly bred cow sale here this Wed... but next week have another bred cow sale at the closer sale barn... ours are alot smaller than yours @Dave .... usually run 30-50 cows. I think next Tues has 50 advertised already.... Most sell in small groups of 2-5 cows, many sell as singles. They have them on one of their regular sale days.... so the help is all there anyway... both sale barns have 2 sales a week, so they have it on the day when they have fewer animals... Tuesday and Wed in different towns. Their busier sale days are Fri and Sat.

 

[CowboyRam]

The next bred cow special here is not until January 10. There is a cow sale including weigh ups this coming Friday, and On Tuesday December 17th there will be a bit of everything, sheep, horses, bred's and weigh ups.

 

[Dave]

The Toppenish sale wont start until 6:00 this evening. It will be on line on Cattle USA. Which leaves me in a quandary. That is when the NFR starts. Do I watch cows sell where I am not going to buy them. Or watch the NFR where my fantasy team is doing terrible. Can't watch them both at the same time. The TV and the computer are in different rooms. Maybe watch the cow sale during events where my selections have done zip.

 

[Rmc]

Watch the auction on your phone !

 

[farmerjan]

Watch the auction on your phone !

He has a simple flip phone... and if I remember right, no service at the house anyway....

 

[kenny thomas]

Why are so many bred cows selling?

 

[Dave]

Why are so many bred cows selling?

Normal numbers for these sales in early December every year. I messed up. The Toppenish cow sale has always been in the evening. Today it started at 1:00. This is the quick report that they listed.

Sale Results Bred Cow Sale Tuesday Dec 10

1,264 cows/pairs sold...lots of buyer representation from all 3 PNW states...
Better youngest pairs $3000-3475
Better bred hfrs $2,975
Better youngest bred cows $2900-3125
Better 5-8yr old bred cows $2200-2700
Better older bred cows $1900-2100

 

[Dave]

The USDA report from Toppenish falls right in line with the sale yards quick report. $1,900 for broken mouth cows. I can see me sitting on my hands a lot the next two days. Maybe I should take a pillow along to take a nap. Of course that is for the "better" older bred cows. They don't report what the thinner old cows sell for.

 

[MurraysMutts]

Some time back we all had a conversation about cows being high for quite some time.
I think your program will still work @Dave

A buddy that does a lot of the same, has had to spend more as well.

I spent 2500 a head on some pairs a while back. Trying to decide on whether I'm gonna keep them cows a while. The calves will not pay for the cow, but I needed a few replacements anyway. I'll have to see where numbers are when I sell all the calves.

 

[CowboyRam]

This is from last weeks sale here in Riverton. I am going to try to get some replacements bought. I am probably have to buy some broken mouth cows this year. I don't like these prices.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 6th
MARKET REPORT
# OF HEAD SOLD: 2131
BRED COWS

3-6YR OLD SM BRED COWS
PAVILLION WY 9 Bred Cow 1321 3,300.00 H
SHOSHONI WY 37 Bred Cow 1069 3,000.00 H
CROWHEART WY 14 Bred Cow 1078 2,975.00 H
RIVERTON WY 48 Bred Cow 1220 2,900.00 H
THERMOPOLIS WY 45 Bred Cow 1098 2,900.00 H
BOULDER WY 16 Bred Cow 1208 2,750.00 H
TEN SLEEP WY 16 Bred Cow 1220 2,750.00 H
SHOSHONI WY 17 Bred Cow 1100 2,650.00 H

7-9YR OLD SS BRED COWS
PAVILLION WY 10 Bred Cow 1517 2,600.00 H
SHOSHONI WY 4 Bred Cow 1035 2,550.00 H
CROWHEART WY 3 Bred Cow 1143 2,550.00 H
BIG PINEY WY 8 Bred Cow 1246 2,500.00 H
COKEVILLE WY 2 Bred Cow 1052 2,400.00 H
SHOSHONI WY 20 Bred Cow 1158 2,350.00 H
LANDER WY 3 Bred Cow 1378 2,350.00 H
SHOSHONI WY 23 Bred Cow 1190 2,300.00 H
CROWHEART WY 3 Bred Cow 1101 2,300.00 H

9+YR OLD BM BRED COWS
PAVILLION WY 25 Bred Cow 1534 2,150.00 H
BOULDER WY 13 Bred Cow 1103 2,150.00 H
FORT BRIDGER WY 12 Bred Cow 1182 2,150.00 H
THERMOPOLIS WY 50 Bred Cow 1149 2,085.00 H
TEN SLEEP WY 20 Bred Cow 1385 2,050.00 H
BOULDER WY 13 Bred Cow 1300 2,050.00 H
SHOSHONI WY 49 Bred Cow 1226 2,025.00 H
THERMOPOLIS WY 12 Bred Cow 1173 2,025.00 H
THERMOPOLIS WY 90 Bred Cow 1181 1,900.00 H
THERMOPOLIS WY 39 Bred Cow 1122 1,900.00 H
THERMOPOLIS WY 69 Bred Cow 1171 1,850.00 H
BOULDER WY 17 Bred Cow 1283 1,835.00 H
BIG PINEY WY 12 Bred Cow 1354 1,800.00 H
BIG PINEY WY 16 Bred Cow 1232 1,750.00 H
FORT BRIDGER WY 10 Bred Cow 1370 1,750.00 H

BRED COWS
TEN SLEEP WY 50 Bred Heifer 989 3,100.00 H
TEN SLEEP WY 24 Bred Heifer 978 3,100.00 H
TEN SLEEP WY 9 Bred Heifer 998 3,060.00 H
LANDER WY 10 Bred Heifer 1001 2,850.00 H
BIG PINEY WY 7 Bred Heifer 1038 2,800.00 H
BOULDER WY 6 Bred Heifer 898 2,600.00 H

COWS
LANDER WY 1 Cow 1085 162.50
SHOSHONI WY 1 Cow 1100 156.00
HYATTVILLE WY 2 Cow 1047 147.50
LANDER WY 4 Cow 1146 139.00
FORT BRIDGER WY 2 Cow 1192 137.50
TEN SLEEP WY 1 Cow 1220 135.00
THERMOPOLIS WY 1 Cow 1125 133.00
TEN SLEEP WY 1 Cow 1170 133.00
LANDER WY 2 Cow 1845 125.00
TEN SLEEP WY 2 Cow 1600 124.00
LANDER WY 2 Cow 1220 123.00
CASPER WY 3 Cow 1460 120.50
TEN SLEEP WY 5 Cow 1389 120.00
RIVERTON WY 3 Cow 1160 119.00
BONDURANT WY 6 Cow 1211 119.00
HYATTVILLE WY 10 Cow 1344 119.00
THERMOPOLIS WY 10 Cow 1078 118.50
LANDER WY 5 Cow 1224 118.50
THERMOPOLIS WY 2 Cow 1142 117.50
MCKINNON WY 2 Cow 1207 116.00
BIG PINEY WY 5 Cow 1210 115.00
BONDURANT WY 5 Cow 1136 114.00
THERMOPOLIS WY 2 Cow 1167 113.00
MCKINNON WY 4 Cow 1186 112.50
SHOSHONI WY 9 Cow 1128 111.00
SHOSHONI WY 4 Cow 1227 110.00
LANDER WY 3 Cow 1163 107.00
DUBOIS WY 3 Cow 1425 102.00
LANDER WY 6 Cow 1228 97.00

BULLS
BIG PINEY WY 4 Bull 1528 152.50
BIG PINEY WY 5 Bull 1635 152.00
BIG PINEY WY 4 Bull 1535 151.50
RIVERTON WY 5 Bull 1728 149.50
BIG PINEY WY 4 Bull 1556 149.00
SHOSHONI WY 1 Bull 1995 149.00
TEN SLEEP WY 1 Bull 1940 149.00
BIG PINEY WY 4 Bull 1718 148.00
RIVERTON WY 2 Bull 1967 147.50
SHOSHONI WY 1 Bull 2285 146.00
ROCK SPRINGS WY 4 Bull 1763 145.50
LANDER WY 2 Bull 1867 144.00

HEIFERETTES
THERMOPOLIS WY 25 Heiferette 766 256.00
LANDER WY 30 Heiferette 780 250.00
THERMOPOLIS WY 13 Heiferette 898 225.00
BONDURANT WY 39 Heiferette 907 222.50
RIVERTON WY 2 Heiferette 812 217.50
BIG PINEY WY 7 Heiferette 857 213.00
BONDURANT WY 17 Heiferette 1007 199.00
RIVERTON WY 1 Heiferette 1035 189.00
BONDURANT WY 4 Heiferette 908 180.00
RIVERTON WY 2 Heiferette 1000 180.00

​

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[ClinchValley86]

Some time back we all had a conversation about cows being high for quite some time.
I think your program will still work @Dave

A buddy that does a lot of the same, has had to spend more as well.

I spent 2500 a head on some pairs a while back. Trying to decide on whether I'm gonna keep them cows a while. The calves will not pay for the cow, but I needed a few replacements anyway. I'll have to see where numbers are when I sell all the calves.

I suspect they'll be crazy high this year if weather is decent. They should be.

 

[Dave]

I remember them getting crazy high in 2013 and 2014. Then along came 2015. There is a limit to what I will spend. And these big bred cow specials bring people to town that you have never seen before or after.
My idea is don't spend much more than they would be worth if they only bring half of today's value for both the cow and calf. So if the cow is worth $1,200 to kill today and the calf is worth $1,500. That is $2,700. Half of that is $1,350. If (and when) the market collapses I am out the feed but live to fight another day.

 

[MurraysMutts]

I remember them getting crazy high in 2013 and 2014. Then along came 2015. There is a limit to what I will spend. And these big bred cow specials bring people to town that you have never seen before or after.
My idea is don't spend much more than they would be worth if they only bring half of today's value for both the cow and calf. So if the cow is worth $1,200 to kill today and the calf is worth $1,500. That is $2,700. Half of that is $1,350. If (and when) the market collapses I am out the feed but live to fight another day.

Yep.
Your buying just about like my buddy was. The numbers have to work!

Around here, ya sure can't buy much of a cow for that. Slaughter cows are bringing more. He's up to about $1800 tops.
But if he can get a few cheaper it'll lower his average. I liked to never got him to understand how to average. I think my grandkids were easier to teach.

I think we are stuck in this price cycle for at least another year. Maybe two!
And sometimes I get to thinking this is the new normal. Especially with all the cows going to slaughter and people retiring etc. Time will tell....

They also say cow supplies are at record lows. Lowest since 1965 I think I heard somewhere. But every week, there's still 500 plus cows at the sale. So what do I know??
Eventually that'll come to a screeching halt.

 

[gcreekrch]

Some time back we all had a conversation about cows being high for quite some time.
I think your program will still work @Dave

A buddy that does a lot of the same, has had to spend more as well.

I spent 2500 a head on some pairs a while back. Trying to decide on whether I'm gonna keep them cows a while. The calves will not pay for the cow, but I needed a few replacements anyway. I'll have to see where numbers are when I sell all the calves.

You hang onto those cows Murray. You won't stay in the business cheaper at this point.

 

[MurraysMutts]

You hang onto those cows Murray. You won't stay in the business cheaper at this point.

I do kinda like em.....

I've got several I also bought to re-sell tho. Lesser quality. But they are sure working for a living.

 

[gcreekrch]

I do kinda like em.....

I've got several I also bought to re-sell tho. Lesser quality. But they are sure working for a living.

If you don't tell anyone I will let you in on a secret. I bought 5 longhorn cows bred black.
Their calves last year were almost as big as they were. We banded their horns to see how the Callicrate bander works on big horns. Someone had already tipped them or we may have left them on for future horn and burger sales.
But keep this to yourself!

 

[Dave]

I got 4 today. Averaged $1481 weighing about 1100. They are at the feed bunk gaining weight right now. I could have got a bunch of 6-7 month bred broken mouth cows today if I were willing to pay $1,700-1,800. I want my average to end up under $1,500. At $2.10 a day for the hay they are eating every day that goes by I can afford to pay more.

 

[puzzled in oregon]

If you don't tell anyone I will let you in on a secret. I bought 5 longhorn cows bred black.
Their calves last year were almost as big as they were. We banded their horns to see how the Callicrate bander works on big horns. Someone had already tipped them or we may have left them on for future horn and burger sales.
But keep this to yourself!

 

[Dave]

If you don't tell anyone I will let you in on a secret. I bought 5 longhorn cows bred black.
Their calves last year were almost as big as they were. We banded their horns to see how the Callicrate bander works on big horns. Someone had already tipped them or we may have left them on for future horn and burger sales.
But keep this to yourself!

Sold young enough you can slide of few of those calves in on the load. Have enough that they make up the majority of the load and the feeders will notice that they don't preform as well as they expect your calves to do.