Caustic and Missing the Point

[Caustic Burno]

having done my time in this business i got plenty of confidence in my ablelity as a cattleman. from pulling calves, sewng up prolapes cutting out cancer masses in eyes. roping wild cattle and PETTING the gentle ones not often ;-) and being able too spot poteintail problems early on. doctoring branding broken bones more than i care too count .call me anything call me a.. son of a bi.ch .. just dont call me a GRASS FARMER.

Good for you.

What is the deal with the grass farmer thing?

well you don't have to get up in the middle of the night too check your grass. what will the market be at selling time . did i do this right or that.staying on top of things to head off problems. the grass is a given. they got too have it.. and believe me i know the value of having a good stand can make or break you. but cattle is what im about. it's mostly just a personal thing that somehow get's under my skin. grass farmer of course i am ;-) but i prefer too be called a CATTLEMAN hopefully one day i will deserve that title cause ill be going down trying

Ah this is where we disagree a good pasture is like a woman if you don't give it attention it will up and leave you.
The more pounds of grass that I raise the more pounds of beef I can run to convert grass to beef to cash.

so what are you saying that i didnt get educated on years ago? this stuff is fundamental.seems like i read were you calve year round and pluck them off green at around 400 pnds how do you convert grass to one thats still pretty much dragging the teat

Thats easy lets do the math we will even do it together.

Lets take a 400 lb steer middle of the road price at 1.17 = 468.00 dollars the little leach is gone and not eating grass a producing cow can be eating.
Now a 600 pound at .93 cents = 558 dollars.
That extra 2 months of upkeep was not free the cow has to eat more to produce milk and that calf is grazing also, by pulling calves at 4 months my cows maintain better body condition and calf every 10 to 11 months, over ten years I get 11 calfs to your 10. I am able to run more cows maintain pasture condition as I am grass farming to produce more calves.
If I can run 12 cows were I would have had to run 10 by weaning early I made 5616 dollars to your 5580 dollars.
I figure 2 six month old calves eat what one producing cow does.
So the faster the little leachs leave the more grass for a producing cow.
It still boils down to pasture management. Your stuck in the way it has always been done.
That doesn't make you the most efficient
I live in a mild climate were hay season is a couple of months to three. Jan average high is 60 and low is 40. Why wouldn't you calf year around .



East Texas Livestock of Crockett - Crockett, TX - Tuesday - 12/05/06

Cattle and Calves: 1,651 Week Ago: 1,485 Year Ago: 2,309

Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers steady to firm. Slaughter
cows and bulls steady. Trade and demand strong. Bulk supply Medium and Large
1-2 200-500 lb feeder steers and heifers. Feeder cattle accounted for 81
percent and slaughter cows and bulls 19 percent of the run. In the feeder
supply, steers made up approximately 55 percent of the run; heifers 45 percent;
steers and heifers over 600 lbs total 13 percent.

Steers: Medium and Large 1: 200-300 lbs 155.00-164.00; 300-345 lb 134.00-
144.00, few to 160.00, 350-400 lbs 127.00-137.00, few to 140.00; 400-500 lbs
107.00-117.00, few to 130.00; 500-600 lbs 94.00-104.00, few to 114.00, yearlings
93.00-101.00; 600-700 lbs 83.00-93.00, few to 98.00, calves 90.00-99.50, few to
106.00; 700-800 lbs 82.00-90.00, few 95.00; 800-900 lbs 84.00.

 

[Gate Opener]

See that is what I like about men-you have a problem with each other you discuss it (or fight, whichever) and then you are best friends.

Caustic, when you take the 4 months off do they go directly to the sale barn?

What about when it looks like the prices will improve in a couple of months is it still better to sell now?

We normally take calves off around 6 months and they go straight to the sale barn, yes with everything intact and bawling. My question is (something I've been wondering)that I've seen people buy calves and put a whole bunch of them on pasture and grow them to a certain point and then sell. How do they make money? Are we making more than them? I hope this ? makes sense. I'm not being smart alecky either-genuine question. If I didn't think you guys were smart I wouldn't ask.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

having done my time in this business i got plenty of confidence in my ablelity as a cattleman. from pulling calves, sewng up prolapes cutting out cancer masses in eyes. roping wild cattle and PETTING the gentle ones not often ;-) and being able too spot poteintail problems early on. doctoring branding broken bones more than i care too count .call me anything call me a.. son of a bi.ch .. just dont call me a GRASS FARMER.

Good for you.

What is the deal with the grass farmer thing?

well you don't have to get up in the middle of the night too check your grass. what will the market be at selling time . did i do this right or that.staying on top of things to head off problems. the grass is a given. they got too have it.. and believe me i know the value of having a good stand can make or break you. but cattle is what im about. it's mostly just a personal thing that somehow get's under my skin. grass farmer of course i am ;-) but i prefer too be called a CATTLEMAN hopefully one day i will deserve that title cause ill be going down trying

Ah this is where we disagree a good pasture is like a woman if you don't give it attention it will up and leave you.
The more pounds of grass that I raise the more pounds of beef I can run to convert grass to beef to cash.

so what are you saying that i didnt get educated on years ago? this stuff is fundamental.seems like i read were you calve year round and pluck them off green at around 400 pnds how do you convert grass to one thats still pretty much dragging the teat

Thats easy lets do the math we will even do it together.

Lets take a 400 lb steer middle of the road price at 1.17 = 468.00 dollars the little leach is gone and not eating grass a producing cow can be eating.
Now a 600 pound at .93 cents = 558 dollars.
That extra 2 months of upkeep was not free the cow has to eat more to produce milk and that calf is grazing also, by pulling calves at 4 months my cows maintain better body condition and calf every 10 to 11 months, over ten years I get 11 calfs to your 10. I am able to run more cows maintain pasture condition as I am grass farming to produce more calves.
If I can run 12 cows were I would have had to run 10 by weaning early I made 5616 dollars to your 5580 dollars.
I figure 2 six month old calves eat what one producing cow does.
So the faster the little leachs leave the more grass for a producing cow.
It still boils down to pasture management. Your stuck in the way it has always been done.
That doesn't make you the most efficient
I live in a mild climate were hay season is a couple of months to three. Why wouldn't you calf year around .



East Texas Livestock of Crockett - Crockett, TX - Tuesday - 12/05/06

Cattle and Calves: 1,651 Week Ago: 1,485 Year Ago: 2,309

Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers steady to firm. Slaughter
cows and bulls steady. Trade and demand strong. Bulk supply Medium and Large
1-2 200-500 lb feeder steers and heifers. Feeder cattle accounted for 81
percent and slaughter cows and bulls 19 percent of the run. In the feeder
supply, steers made up approximately 55 percent of the run; heifers 45 percent;
steers and heifers over 600 lbs total 13 percent.

Steers: Medium and Large 1: 200-300 lbs 155.00-164.00; 300-345 lb 134.00-
144.00, few to 160.00, 350-400 lbs 127.00-137.00, few to 140.00; 400-500 lbs
107.00-117.00, few to 130.00; 500-600 lbs 94.00-104.00, few to 114.00, yearlings
93.00-101.00; 600-700 lbs 83.00-93.00, few to 98.00, calves 90.00-99.50, few to
106.00; 700-800 lbs 82.00-90.00, few 95.00; 800-900 lbs 84.00.

those prices only make your program look good for now and you know it. i will stick with my calving season and my six plus weight calves. calves come off in september and cows are always in shape when winter hits. because i know how too utilize my grass too suit my program. theres drought summer slump, freezing and other thing too contend with

 

[Caustic Burno]

See that is what I like about men-you have a problem with each other you discuss it (or fight, whichever) and then you are best friends.

Caustic, when you take the 4 months off do they go directly to the sale barn?

What about when it looks like the prices will improve in a couple of months is it still better to sell now?

We normally take calves off around 6 months and they go straight to the sale barn, yes with everything intact and bawling. My question is (something I've been wondering)that I've seen people buy calves and put a whole bunch of them on pasture and grow them to a certain point and then sell. How do they make money? Are we making more than them? I hope this ? makes sense. I'm not being smart alecky either-genuine question. If I didn't think you guys were smart I wouldn't ask.

Yes I normally head straight for the salebarn. I like weaning early and I still have options to hold the calfs if prices are low.
If they are at six months they have to come off the cow, you options are starting to dwindle do you have pasture, these are ravenous little devils at that age, feed or take the hit.
As far as backgrounding calfs I ave never put a pencil on that one, Somn would probabally be more qualified to give you advice.
I pulled some 4 month ones off today and moved to the back pasture as I don't like the prices right now. Ethanol is driving corn prices up driving beef down, plus seasonally prices are low right now. I will hold them to Jan as prices here historically climb.
Just a different strategy I think is most profitable for me.

 

[backhoeboogie]

Historically winter rains are more predictable here than spring and summer rains. With winter wheat, I like fall calving myself. Then you can sell at 6 months when green up hits and prices are good.

 

[Caustic Burno]

having done my time in this business i got plenty of confidence in my ablelity as a cattleman. from pulling calves, sewng up prolapes cutting out cancer masses in eyes. roping wild cattle and PETTING the gentle ones not often ;-) and being able too spot poteintail problems early on. doctoring branding broken bones more than i care too count .call me anything call me a.. son of a bi.ch .. just dont call me a GRASS FARMER.

Good for you.

What is the deal with the grass farmer thing?

well you don't have to get up in the middle of the night too check your grass. what will the market be at selling time . did i do this right or that.staying on top of things to head off problems. the grass is a given. they got too have it.. and believe me i know the value of having a good stand can make or break you. but cattle is what im about. it's mostly just a personal thing that somehow get's under my skin. grass farmer of course i am ;-) but i prefer too be called a CATTLEMAN hopefully one day i will deserve that title cause ill be going down trying

Ah this is where we disagree a good pasture is like a woman if you don't give it attention it will up and leave you.
The more pounds of grass that I raise the more pounds of beef I can run to convert grass to beef to cash.

so what are you saying that i didnt get educated on years ago? this stuff is fundamental.seems like i read were you calve year round and pluck them off green at around 400 pnds how do you convert grass to one thats still pretty much dragging the teat

Thats easy lets do the math we will even do it together.

Lets take a 400 lb steer middle of the road price at 1.17 = 468.00 dollars the little leach is gone and not eating grass a producing cow can be eating.
Now a 600 pound at .93 cents = 558 dollars.
That extra 2 months of upkeep was not free the cow has to eat more to produce milk and that calf is grazing also, by pulling calves at 4 months my cows maintain better body condition and calf every 10 to 11 months, over ten years I get 11 calfs to your 10. I am able to run more cows maintain pasture condition as I am grass farming to produce more calves.
If I can run 12 cows were I would have had to run 10 by weaning early I made 5616 dollars to your 5580 dollars.
I figure 2 six month old calves eat what one producing cow does.
So the faster the little leachs leave the more grass for a producing cow.
It still boils down to pasture management. Your stuck in the way it has always been done.
That doesn't make you the most efficient
I live in a mild climate were hay season is a couple of months to three. Why wouldn't you calf year around .



East Texas Livestock of Crockett - Crockett, TX - Tuesday - 12/05/06

Cattle and Calves: 1,651 Week Ago: 1,485 Year Ago: 2,309

Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers steady to firm. Slaughter
cows and bulls steady. Trade and demand strong. Bulk supply Medium and Large
1-2 200-500 lb feeder steers and heifers. Feeder cattle accounted for 81
percent and slaughter cows and bulls 19 percent of the run. In the feeder
supply, steers made up approximately 55 percent of the run; heifers 45 percent;
steers and heifers over 600 lbs total 13 percent.

Steers: Medium and Large 1: 200-300 lbs 155.00-164.00; 300-345 lb 134.00-
144.00, few to 160.00, 350-400 lbs 127.00-137.00, few to 140.00; 400-500 lbs
107.00-117.00, few to 130.00; 500-600 lbs 94.00-104.00, few to 114.00, yearlings
93.00-101.00; 600-700 lbs 83.00-93.00, few to 98.00, calves 90.00-99.50, few to
106.00; 700-800 lbs 82.00-90.00, few 95.00; 800-900 lbs 84.00.

those prices only make your program look good for now and you know it. i will stick with my calving season and my six plus weight calves. calves come off in september and cows are always in shape when winter hits. because i know how too utilize my grass too suit my program. theres drought summer slump, freezing and other thing too contend with

That spread will be the same next month or next summer. You sell your calfs at the lowest prices of the year is that smart.
Febuary/March are always better prices, if you calf year around you are not at the fall buyers mercy.You get to get the highs with the lows you always get the lows. The buyers know you are going to be dumping with everyone else before winter.

 

[Caustic Burno]

ALACOWMan never said my way is better for anyone.
I am not stuck in a rut of thats the way it has always been done.
If the pencil comes out sharper on a fall, spring season versus year around , thats were I will head.
I never see it being better in the spring as the market is flooded with the guys that have always done it this way calfs.

It is still about grass management to produce the most beef at the best price.

 

[Gate Opener]

See that is what I like about men-you have a problem with each other you discuss it (or fight, whichever) and then you are best friends.

Caustic, when you take the 4 months off do they go directly to the sale barn?

What about when it looks like the prices will improve in a couple of months is it still better to sell now?

We normally take calves off around 6 months and they go straight to the sale barn, yes with everything intact and bawling. My question is (something I've been wondering)that I've seen people buy calves and put a whole bunch of them on pasture and grow them to a certain point and then sell. How do they make money? Are we making more than them? I hope this ? makes sense. I'm not being smart alecky either-genuine question. If I didn't think you guys were smart I wouldn't ask.

Yes I normally head straight for the salebarn. I like weaning early and I still have options to hold the calfs if prices are low.
If they are at six months they have to come off the cow, you options are starting to dwindle do you have pasture, these are ravenous little devils at that age, feed or take the hit.
As far as backgrounding calfs I ave never put a pencil on that one, Somn would probabally be more qualified to give you advice.
I pulled some 4 month ones off today and moved to the back pasture as I don't like the prices right now. Ethanol is driving corn prices up driving beef down, plus seasonally prices are low right now. I will hold them to Jan as prices here historically climb.
Just a different strategy I think is most profitable for me.

Do you creep feed once they are off mama? I have 2 that I weaned recently(trying to decide if we are going to keep them) at 5 months and have been creep feeding but I don't see how I can make money creep feeding them. First time creep feed has ever been on our place.

 

[Caustic Burno]

Dang there is a 27 cent a pound hit to 30 cents in Al also on those big calfs.


Montgomery, AL Thr Dec 7, 2006 USDA-AL Dept Ag Market News

Livingston, AL
Weighted Average Report for 12/06/2006

Receipts: 550 Last Week: 649 Year Ago: 1251

Compared to last week; slaughter cows 1.00-2.00, bulls firm. Feeder
steers 2.00-3.00 higher, heifers 1.00-2.00. Replacement steady.
Supply consisted of 8% slaughter cows; bulls 1%; Replacement cows and pairs
6 %; Feeder cattle 85% of which 12% were over 600 lbs. In the feeder supply
28% were steers, 22 % bulls and 50 % were heifers.


Slaughter Cows Breaker 75-80%
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 1200-1600 1440 48.00 48.00
1 1600-2000 1690 44.50 44.50

Slaughter Cows Boner 80-85%
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
5 800-1200 1041 40.50-44.50 42.45
2 800-1200 985 46.00-47.00 46.49 High Dressing
4 800-1200 1046 36.50-39.00 37.67 Low Dressing
4 1200-1600 1282 40.00-43.50 41.07
5 1200-1600 1272 45.50-48.50 46.86 High Dressing

Slaughter Cows Lean 85-90%
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
10 800-1200 950 35.00-38.00 36.74
7 800-1200 989 30.00-34.50 32.06 Low Dressing

Slaughter Bulls Y.G. 1-2
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
2 1000-1500 1438 55.00-57.00 56.00
1 1000-1500 1055 50.50 50.50 Low Dressing
2 1500-3000 1640 55.00-57.50 56.29
3 1500-3000 1890 60.00-61.00 60.56 High Dressing
2 1500-3000 1828 53.50 53.50 Low Dressing

Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 300-350 325 145.00 145.00
1 500-550 540 106.00 106.00
5 550-600 574 103.00-106.00 103.79
2 600-650 612 100.00-101.00 100.50

Feeder Steers Medium and Large 2
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 300-350 317 135.00-141.00 138.62
1 350-400 370 126.00 126.00
4 400-450 430 117.00-121.00 119.47
12 450-500 472 105.00-110.00 107.87
8 500-550 531 99.00-104.00 101.78
15 550-600 575 95.00-100.00 97.85
4 600-650 625 93.00-95.00 93.98
1 600-650 605 89.00 89.00 Brahman X
4 650-700 666 90.00-92.00 91.00
1 650-700 690 85.00 85.00 Brahman X
1 700-750 730 94.00 94.00
1 750-800 795 91.00 91.00
1 750-800 770 85.00 85.00 Brahman X

Feeder Steers Medium and Large 3
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 300-350 318 127.00-132.00 129.28
3 350-400 370 118.00-120.00 119.30
1 400-450 410 113.00 113.00
2 450-500 492 98.00-99.00 98.50
3 550-600 595 90.00 90.00

Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 200-250 240 142.00 142.00
2 250-300 295 128.00-130.00 129.00
2 300-350 332 113.00-115.00 113.96
4 350-400 388 110.00-111.00 110.24
2 400-450 418 105.00-107.00 105.99
1 500-550 540 95.00 95.00
1 550-600 580 91.00 91.00

Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 2
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
6 250-300 286 120.00-126.00 123.50
2 300-350 325 107.00-108.00 107.51
11 350-400 374 101.00-107.00 104.33
12 400-450 434 97.00-103.00 99.57
11 450-500 475 92.00-97.00 93.83
2 450-500 482 85.00-87.00 85.97 Brahman X
15 500-550 514 88.00-93.00 90.22
9 550-600 570 84.00-89.00 86.89
3 600-650 612 82.00-87.00 85.01
4 600-650 645 80.00-81.00 80.25 Brahman X
3 600-650 640 88.00 88.00 Replacement
1 650-700 670 91.00 91.00 Replacement
1 700-750 745 81.00 81.00
1 700-750 725 85.00 85.00 Replacement

Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 3
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
10 350-400 373 95.00-100.00 97.77
13 400-450 425 91.00-96.00 93.29
10 450-500 475 85.00-90.00 88.48
7 500-550 516 80.00-85.00 82.00
3 550-600 563 77.00-80.00 78.99
5 600-650 621 76.00-80.00 79.01

Feeder Heifers Small and Medium 2
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 400-450 425 85.00 85.00

Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 1
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
1 300-350 330 134.00 134.00
1 350-400 380 126.00 126.00
1 450-500 480 110.00 110.00

Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 2
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
3 250-300 273 144.00-147.00 145.60
6 300-350 340 124.00-131.00 126.62
3 350-400 373 117.00-124.00 120.58
6 400-450 436 110.00-115.00 112.66
4 450-500 481 101.00-104.00 103.02
3 500-550 532 93.00-97.00 94.64
6 550-600 582 87.00-94.00 90.97
2 600-650 632 90.00-93.00 91.47
2 700-750 725 82.00-83.00 82.51

Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 3
Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price
4 300-350 324 119.00-122.00 120.70
5 350-400 390 110.00-115.00 112.59
3 400-450 425 101.00-105.00 102.64
5 450-500 470 94.00-98.00 95.82
1 500-550 510 89.00 89.00
1 550-600 575 85.00 85.00
2 600-650 632 80.00-84.00 81.98
1 700-750 710 80.00 80.00


Open and Bred Replacement Cows
Young to middle aged Aged
Large 2 Large 3
0-3 mos 620.00 -----------
3-5 mos ---------- 600.00

Medium 2 Medium 3
0-3 mos 550.00-575.00 360.00-420.00
3-5 mos ---------- 480.00

Small 2 Small 3
0-3 mos 390.00-405.00 275.00-290.00
3-5 mos 540.00 330.00-390.00
5-8 mos 570.00 ----------


Replacement Pairs
Young to middle aged cows with calves 100-300 lbs Aged
Medium 2 Medium 3
----------- 600.00-700.00

Small 2 Small 3
670.00-760.00 560.00-570.00



Source: Alabama Dept of Ag-USDA Market News, Montgomery, AL
Johnny Little, Market Reporter phone: 334-223-7488
email: [email protected]
http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/MG_LS157.txt

1026ct jl/yw





.

 

[Caustic Burno]

See that is what I like about men-you have a problem with each other you discuss it (or fight, whichever) and then you are best friends.

Caustic, when you take the 4 months off do they go directly to the sale barn?

What about when it looks like the prices will improve in a couple of months is it still better to sell now?

We normally take calves off around 6 months and they go straight to the sale barn, yes with everything intact and bawling. My question is (something I've been wondering)that I've seen people buy calves and put a whole bunch of them on pasture and grow them to a certain point and then sell. How do they make money? Are we making more than them? I hope this ? makes sense. I'm not being smart alecky either-genuine question. If I didn't think you guys were smart I wouldn't ask.

Yes I normally head straight for the salebarn. I like weaning early and I still have options to hold the calfs if prices are low.
If they are at six months they have to come off the cow, you options are starting to dwindle do you have pasture, these are ravenous little devils at that age, feed or take the hit.
As far as backgrounding calfs I ave never put a pencil on that one, Somn would probabally be more qualified to give you advice.
I pulled some 4 month ones off today and moved to the back pasture as I don't like the prices right now. Ethanol is driving corn prices up driving beef down, plus seasonally prices are low right now. I will hold them to Jan as prices here historically climb.
Just a different strategy I think is most profitable for me.

Do you creep feed once they are off mama? I have 2 that I weaned recently(trying to decide if we are going to keep them) at 5 months and have been creep feeding but I don't see how I can make money creep feeding them. First time creep feed has ever been on our place.

No except if I really like a hefier that I am going to keep which is rare . I feel I can buy replacement cows cheaper than messing with a hefier. This year is an exception as I am holding on to all the good hiefers and creeping due to last years drought. Which I was not effected by in my part of the state. Replacement hefiers are goinng to bring a premium this spring as everyone had to sell down in most of the state.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

ALACOWMan never said my way is better for anyone.
I am not stuck in a rut of thats the way it has always been done.
If the pencil comes out sharper on a fall, spring season versus year around , thats were I will head.
I never see it being better in the spring as the market is flooded with the guys that have always done it this way calfs.

It is still about grass management to produce the most beef at the best price.

not bragging but you wont find anyone in my area more paticular with his pastures than me. and as far as weeds go there almost non existent. i want ever square foot with something palitable growing on it. i graze my hay pastures in the winter and still yeild more hay per acre than most cattlemen who's pasture is solely used for hay

 

[Caustic Burno]

ALACOWMan never said my way is better for anyone.
I am not stuck in a rut of thats the way it has always been done.
If the pencil comes out sharper on a fall, spring season versus year around , thats were I will head.
I never see it being better in the spring as the market is flooded with the guys that have always done it this way calfs.

It is still about grass management to produce the most beef at the best price.

not bragging but you wont find anyone in my area more paticular with his pastures than me. and as far as weeds go there almost non existent. i want ever square foot with something palitable growing on it. i graze my hay pastures in the winter and still yeild more hay per acre than most cattlemen who's pasture is solely used for hay

Well you are a grass farmer it is OK to come out of the closet.
I have looked hard at going to a strictly fall calfing season or should I say winter like to get the little buggers here about Nov, and sell in March.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

ALACOWMan never said my way is better for anyone.
I am not stuck in a rut of thats the way it has always been done.
If the pencil comes out sharper on a fall, spring season versus year around , thats were I will head.
I never see it being better in the spring as the market is flooded with the guys that have always done it this way calfs.

It is still about grass management to produce the most beef at the best price.

not bragging but you wont find anyone in my area more paticular with his pastures than me. and as far as weeds go there almost non existent. i want ever square foot with something palitable growing on it. i graze my hay pastures in the winter and still yeild more hay per acre than most cattlemen who's pasture is solely used for hay

• Well you are a grass farmer it is OK to come out of the closet.

I have looked hard at going to a strictly fall calfing season or should I say winter like to get the little buggers here about Nov, and sell in March.

the he!! i will

 

[Gate Opener]

Do you creep feed once they are off mama? I have 2 that I weaned recently(trying to decide if we are going to keep them) at 5 months and have been creep feeding but I don't see how I can make money creep feeding them. First time creep feed has ever been on our place.[/quote]

No except if I really like a hefier that I am going to keep which is rare . I feel I can buy replacement cows cheaper than messing with a hefier. This year is an exception as I am holding on to all the good hiefers and creeping due to last years drought. Which I was not effected by in my part of the state. Replacement hefiers are goinng to bring a premium this spring as everyone had to sell down in most of the state.[/quote]

So, are you keeping them for yourself or to sell in the Spring? I have been wondering about this also as we have 2 cows that are open now(no fault of theirs). Do we sell them open and take a big hit or get them bred, feed them through the winter and either keep or sell. If we sold them now we could buy 1 bred cow or a pair. I really like both of these cows but not sure of the economics of it.

 

[Cattle Rack Rancher]

Well, I know that in my part of the country that calf prices are usually better in the spring. Of course, the expense to carry a cow and calf through the winter up here is high enough that I don't think it would pencil out. I know that in the fall, when I start feeding bales and before the calves are weaned, those cows eat a tremendous amount of feed and actually it takes about a week to 10 days after those calves are shipped before they get to a point where they start eating much less. I'm better off to calve those cows out in early April after the worst of the winter is gone and let those cows go out and forage then trying to bring the feed to them all winter. Others may think different, but that's what makes the world go 'round right?

 

[backhoeboogie]

Well, I know that in my part of the country that calf prices are usually better in the spring. Of course, the expense to carry a cow and calf through the winter up here is high enough that I don't think it would pencil out. I know that in the fall, when I start feeding bales and before the calves are weaned, those cows eat a tremendous amount of feed and actually it takes about a week to 10 days after those calves are shipped before they get to a point where they start eating much less. I'm better off to calve those cows out in early April after the worst of the winter is gone and let those cows go out and forage then trying to bring the feed to them all winter. Others may think different, but that's what makes the world go 'round right?

Yes you are right.

Here we can plant winter wheat, rye, clover, oats and the cows have high protein forage all winter. Legumes get nitrogen out of the air and actually improve the ground's fertility for spring grasses. Anyway, no fertilizer needed for winter grasses. About weaning time for fall calves, the spring green is in full swing. Calf comes off of momma and momma has summer forage grasses to recover and restore fat. Fall calf comes along and momma is a butterball once again. I like having the fall calf crop, in this climate.

 

[Caustic Burno]

Do you creep feed once they are off mama? I have 2 that I weaned recently(trying to decide if we are going to keep them) at 5 months and have been creep feeding but I don't see how I can make money creep feeding them. First time creep feed has ever been on our place.

No except if I really like a hefier that I am going to keep which is rare . I feel I can buy replacement cows cheaper than messing with a hefier. This year is an exception as I am holding on to all the good hiefers and creeping due to last years drought. Which I was not effected by in my part of the state. Replacement hefiers are goinng to bring a premium this spring as everyone had to sell down in most of the state.[/quote]

So, are you keeping them for yourself or to sell in the Spring? I have been wondering about this also as we have 2 cows that are open now(no fault of theirs). Do we sell them open and take a big hit or get them bred, feed them through the winter and either keep or sell. If we sold them now we could buy 1 bred cow or a pair. I really like both of these cows but not sure of the economics of it.[/quote]

You have to do the math and make yourself happy with your decision. Those two open cows are costing you at least 2 dollars a day if not more this time of year.
Remember culling is herd management.
You have to look at the cost of retaining versus replacement.

 

[RainMan]

CB,

You must have grass growing out your _ _ _ , the way you talk about it. Buy the time I paid for all the equipment needed to be a grass farmer I would be broke. Put a pencil to that one and give me some advice, based on your actual costs per year for grass vs buying similar quality hay. And try doing it without some of those fancy quotes like "that dog wont hunt boy". Whats up with all that redneck crap anyway. Must be a Texas thing. CW

 

[3MR]

CB,

You must have grass growing out your _ _ _ , the way you talk about it. Buy the time I paid for all the equipment needed to be a grass farmer I would be broke. Put a pencil to that one and give me some advice, based on your actual costs per year for grass vs buying similar quality hay. And try doing it without some of those fancy quotes like "that dog wont hunt boy". Whats up with all that redneck crap anyway. Must be a Texas thing. CW

Are you saying it cost less to buy hay up there than it does to grow it? Thats about a total reverse from here if so; even in non-drought years.

I could see if you arent baling very many acres, but it doesnt take that many acres to make baling your own with used equipment more profitable than buying someone elses. Sorry if I misunderstood what your are saying.

 

[Wewild]

CB,

You must have grass growing out your _ _ _ , the way you talk about it. Buy the time I paid for all the equipment needed to be a grass farmer I would be broke. Put a pencil to that one and give me some advice, based on your actual costs per year for grass vs buying similar quality hay. And try doing it without some of those fancy quotes like "that dog wont hunt boy". Whats up with all that redneck crap anyway. Must be a Texas thing. CW

I not CB but I guess I can't help myself. I'm from North GA. I figure I'll start feeding some cows some hay after the first of the year. Had to start feeding some 2 weeks ago. Hard to tell what our stocking feed rate per acre will be this years as winter has not past. It will probabaly be around 1.5 per cow and her calve when it's all said and done.

It comes down to that we are over stocked in some areas and not in others. You got to know it ahead of time. At the best we got a cow on two acres and worse one on one.

What equipment where you talking about as we got some tractors.