Butcher heifer to be

[Dave]

I always buy a crippled heifer about 700-800 pounds to feed up to kill. I look for one with a big knee or foot. The pen they go into isn't very big so they don't have to travel. And she is by herself so she wont have to compete for feed. Well I bought one about 10 days ago. Turns out she isn't crippled at all. My guess is she got beat up on her ride to town. She weighs 720 and only cost $2.35. Probably worth $1000 more now that she is moving good. But she as an appointment for freezer camp after a few months of eating grain.

 

[BC]

I always was told your profit is always made in your purchase. Good purchase!

 

[Dave]

I always was told your profit is always made in your purchase. Good purchase!

Why eat one I raised when I can sell it for more than it cost to buy one. I will have less money into this one finished than a 500 pound steer will sell for.

 

[SBMF 2015]

Why eat one I raised when I can sell it for more than it cost to buy one. I will have less money into this one finished than a 500 pound steer will sell for.

I had one born blind last year. Other than can’t see he was one of the best calves I had last year. I wasn’t going to give him away. We’ll’ eat him next winter.

 

[ClinchValley86]

Why eat one I raised when I can sell it for more than it cost to buy one. I will have less money into this one finished than a 500 pound steer will sell for.

This is a thought ive been having a lot lately. And one i will probably implore for the 2026 born calves. My 2025 calves are past the sweet spot already and I feel committed.

 

[MurraysMutts]

It may sound silly, I much prefer to eat one I raised. At least from a weaned size calf.
I've seen people poke all sorts of unnecessary drugs into too many crappy calves that end up at a sale barn. At least if I've raised it, I have some control over what I'm eating.

 

[texoman]

It may sound silly, I much prefer to eat one I raised. At least from a weaned size calf.
I've seen people poke all sorts of unnecessary drugs into too many crappy calves that end up at a sale barn. At least if I've raised it, I have some control over what I'm eating.

That’s how I feel, too. Plus my customers trust what I put in em.

 

[Dave]

It may sound silly, I much prefer to eat one I raised. At least from a weaned size calf.
I've seen people poke all sorts of unnecessary drugs into too many crappy calves that end up at a sale barn. At least if I've raised it, I have some control over what I'm eating.

That might be an issue in an area with lots of smaller outfits. Here 99% of the people who have cattle do it for a living. There aren't many of the trader type too. This heifer has the same brand as the better part of 100 light yearlings that sold that day (N= on the left hip). I have bought enough cattle at the sale that I know the difference between a crappy calf and a yearling with an old injury. But to each their own.

 

[MurraysMutts]

That might be an issue in an area with lots of smaller outfits. Here 99% of the people who have cattle do it for a living. There aren't many of the trader type too. This heifer has the same brand as the better part of 100 light yearlings that sold that day (N= on the left hip). I have bought enough cattle at the sale that I know the difference between a crappy calf and a yearling with an old injury. But to each their own.

Almost makes ya wanna sell her and buy another one! 1000 bucks is good profit for feeding her a few days. Probly more trouble than it's worth tho. Do singles take a hit up there too?
I agree about your area up there. Calves get what they need and nothing more. U hit the nail on the head about trader cattle in this area.

 

[ClinchValley86]

As long as i can feed them the last 100 or 120 days, I feel alright about them. I do try my best to steer clear of trader stuff.

That said, sell some 6 weight calves and buy some cull 2 and 3 year olds, not much out of pocket and you double your weight. Assuming they can be found reasonably. Which right now might not be the case.

 

[Dave]

As long as i can feed them the last 100 or 120 days, I feel alright about them. I do try my best to steer clear of trader stuff.

That said, sell some 6 weight calves and buy some cull 2 and 3 year olds, not much out of pocket and you double your weight. Assuming they can be found reasonably. Which right now might not be the case.

Here you can buy all the 1,000 heifers who didn't breed or slipped the calf for around $2.50. Getting a little late for them now but still a few showing up. 2 months ago a person could have filled a semi in just a couple weeks.

 

[ClinchValley86]

Here you can buy all the 1,000 heifers who didn't breed or slipped the calf for around $2.50. Getting a little late for them now but still a few showing up. 2 months ago a person could have filled a semi in just a couple weeks.

Wish I had been prepared to buy a couple months ago; bet it was similar availability here and cheaper.