Buying-Selling-Just holding putt.

[J Baxter]

I'm real curious as to everyone's strategy surrounding our current high cattle prices. If you are buying what are you buying? Who's retaining heifers? Who's selling everything?

 

[J Baxter]

I'm just maintaining status quo right now. I have a couple of exceptional heifrs that I will keep to replace a couple of my old cows, but I can't make myself buy into this market. I just don't know if we will maintain these prices long enough to pay for these $1000 cows.

JB

 

[certherfbeef]

I lost a leased her a couple years ago. Last fall I thinned both the registered and commercial herd almost half again.

Now the plan is to build back up by retaining heifers. But I cull pretty hard, and building is a slow process.

 

[myakka145]

I may be in a different situation than many of you, but I am expanding in two ways. One is by retaining heifers. The second is very carefully chosing new stock that fit my program. I try to pick the best available, private treaty, girls that I can afford. As most of you have suggested, quality is far more important than quantity, during the building process.

I have learned much from the excellent contributors to this board, and sincerely appreciate your posts. Thank you

One day I may be able to help someone else because of you all. :idea:

 

[Rustler9]

I'm maintaining what I have now by retaining good heifers that I've bred, also some good cows or heifers that I buy but I am trying to sell one for each one that I keep or add if that makes sense. Basically, our herd is big enough but I do buy a good animal private treaty or at a registered sale from time to time. I've also got my prorgram to the point that I can now sell my own breeding stock to other breeders.

 

[anghere]

I am buying some young heifers to raise for replacements. I plan to buy more higher quality stock when I can find it. I am doing some serious culling this year and next. My plan is to expand by increasing the quality of the herd by culling and replacing but not lowering the number of cows.

I won't pay an unreasonable price for stock just because the prices are up when I can keep my own and raise them.

 

[Conagher]

Expanding through purchases and retainment despite the current market conditions because of the fact I'm just starting to build up a reg. herd. Not the best timing, but sometimes you just have to play with the hand dealt. Expansion would be more aggressive if market conditions were more favorable to purchasing.

 

[Dave]

I am buying what I think will make me money. Selling when I think I have maximized my profits. I am beginning to move more to short term stockers and out of long term pairs so I wont be caught holding the bag when the bubble bursts in the next year or two.
Dave

 

[sidney411]

I have been retaining heifers to expand as well as replace cull cows. I have bought a few heifers to replace cull cows in the last few years, but that's only 4 heifers I've bought. I've raised a lot more then bought. I have also sold replacement heifers. All steers go to market. Most heifers stay around either for replacements or sale private treaty.

 

[El_Putzo]

Expanding through purchases and retainment despite the current market conditions because of the fact I'm just starting to build up a reg. herd. Not the best timing, but sometimes you just have to play with the hand dealt. Expansion would be more aggressive if market conditions were more favorable to purchasing.

Same here.

 

[Chuckie]

I will be retaining heifers for the most. I will make one registered sale this year. Will probably not purchase more than one or two there.

 

[TheBullLady]

We sold one place last winter, so we reduced the cow herd by half, and culled a bunch of older cows as well.

We've only kept two heifers for replacments for ourselves in the past two years, but have kept a handful of heifers for show calves.

Can't see keeping a bunch of heifers at these prices. In my opinion the best idea is to "sell high and buy low".

 

[ctlbaron]

Expanding by both retaining heifers and buying a few.

 

[1848]

Kinda mixing it up here. Sold some young bull calves in the sale barn early for $1.50 per pound (can't beat that). Still buying when a good opportunity raises itself, keeping "some" heifers" (hard to keep em..they are so in demand), and selling as much as I dare.

 

[preston39]

Always sell all heifers from commercial herd and buy.." the 3"...cow bred and a calf. Keeping all registered calves that are not otherwise culled for some normal reasons. Same policy for years.