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<blockquote data-quote="farmerjan" data-source="post: 1799320" data-attributes="member: 25884"><p>I agree on the genetics might be causing the small sized calves. But that is not all...</p><p></p><p>Do you have a head catch where a vet could come in and preg check? </p><p></p><p>This would be my order of priorities right now; </p><p>#1... Get cows preg checked. Find out their condition. If you decide to sell them that is still a plus for any you sell .... they can do that at the sale yard... BUT ,,, if you have calves on the ground now no reason to ship them... let them eat and grow.... </p><p>AND get them "mouthed".... check the teeth... they might be older than you think...</p><p></p><p>#2.... ANY open or short bred should be candidates for shipping...you already know at least one that has not produced last year or this year... </p><p>Cull/pound cows are bringing good prices. Turn non-productive cows into money and maybe buy a few "better cows" that have small calves on the ground or are due to calve soon... </p><p>The advice to check on any dispersal sales is good... Those cows are not "culls"..... they are victims of circumstances. </p><p></p><p>#3.... Once you know the status of the cows, you will be able to determine if you want to just keep the ones there for the grazing season, or ship the whole lot. Then you can make an informed decision on weaning and feeding the calves for 30-90 days as preconditioning if you want to try it. </p><p></p><p>#4.... spend some time sitting at the stockyard/sale barns and just watch and listen... you will soon pick up on the better weights for selling... what the buyers want there. Take the cull cows from your vet checking, and then sit and see what the preferred sizes and weights... and if the "vaccinated and weaned" calves bring enough extra to make it worth it. </p><p>By the way, at this time in the cattle cycle, you will not see as much of a premium for weaned and vaccinated as when things are in the down cycle.... and right now bull calves are not being as discounted as much as when it is in the down years... and partially because it is because there are fewer around with the decreased cow numbers so people are willing to pay more for bull calves just to be able to get some. Normally bull calves will take a $.25 - $.40 hit below the same steer calves... right now they are running only about $.10 - $.20 lower at many of our sales here. </p><p></p><p>I also would not keep any heifers at this stage... get through this year and get a basis. I am not saying that selling all would not be a way to do better..... but with the prices now, you will pay DEARLY to replace the whole herd.... might be better to get rid of the non-productive ones, keep the ones with calves and add a few "better ones" if the opportunity arises.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="farmerjan, post: 1799320, member: 25884"] I agree on the genetics might be causing the small sized calves. But that is not all... Do you have a head catch where a vet could come in and preg check? This would be my order of priorities right now; #1... Get cows preg checked. Find out their condition. If you decide to sell them that is still a plus for any you sell .... they can do that at the sale yard... BUT ,,, if you have calves on the ground now no reason to ship them... let them eat and grow.... AND get them "mouthed".... check the teeth... they might be older than you think... #2.... ANY open or short bred should be candidates for shipping...you already know at least one that has not produced last year or this year... Cull/pound cows are bringing good prices. Turn non-productive cows into money and maybe buy a few "better cows" that have small calves on the ground or are due to calve soon... The advice to check on any dispersal sales is good... Those cows are not "culls"..... they are victims of circumstances. #3.... Once you know the status of the cows, you will be able to determine if you want to just keep the ones there for the grazing season, or ship the whole lot. Then you can make an informed decision on weaning and feeding the calves for 30-90 days as preconditioning if you want to try it. #4.... spend some time sitting at the stockyard/sale barns and just watch and listen... you will soon pick up on the better weights for selling... what the buyers want there. Take the cull cows from your vet checking, and then sit and see what the preferred sizes and weights... and if the "vaccinated and weaned" calves bring enough extra to make it worth it. By the way, at this time in the cattle cycle, you will not see as much of a premium for weaned and vaccinated as when things are in the down cycle.... and right now bull calves are not being as discounted as much as when it is in the down years... and partially because it is because there are fewer around with the decreased cow numbers so people are willing to pay more for bull calves just to be able to get some. Normally bull calves will take a $.25 - $.40 hit below the same steer calves... right now they are running only about $.10 - $.20 lower at many of our sales here. I also would not keep any heifers at this stage... get through this year and get a basis. I am not saying that selling all would not be a way to do better..... but with the prices now, you will pay DEARLY to replace the whole herd.... might be better to get rid of the non-productive ones, keep the ones with calves and add a few "better ones" if the opportunity arises. [/QUOTE]
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