Cows on the rail

[Dave]

We shipped the broken mouth cows on Monday. I got the check today. Most of the cows either brought $1.90 or $1.87 a pound on the rail. There was two smaller thinner cows that got $1.81 and $1.75 a pound. There is still 11 pairs that are MIA. We have a pretty good idea where they are but they haven't been caught yet. The calves are a little light this year but because of high hay prices I was buying later. That made calves being born later. There is 82 weaned calves (part mine and part that belong to B) that came to the hay regrowth at my place this morning. They were happy to get out of the corral and on to green grass.

 

[shaz]

Grass looks really good

 

[sstterry]

Those are darn good prices!

 

[Dave]

Grass looks really good

Basically unlimited free irrigation water does help make grass look good.

 

[wbvs58]

The calves don't look too shabby.

Ken

 

[MurraysMutts]

@Dave I think you just about got the old broken mouth cow thing figured out my friend!

I bet those calves do well also. Prices are really good here right now. Some folks ain't even considering running them on wheat this year. Gonna sell em now and take a winter off I hear.

 

[Dave]

@Dave I think you just about got the old broken mouth cow thing figured out my friend!

I bet those calves do well also. Prices are really good here right now. Some folks ain't even considering running them on wheat this year. Gonna sell em now and take a winter off I hear.

I have had it figured out for over 20 years. I would like those calves to be 100 pounds heavier but it is what it is. Lighter calves or a bigger feed bill last winter. The lighter calves work better this year. My quick dirty math in my head says we have about $100 a head against those calves so we are going to be well into the black when it is all said and done.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Dave, what would that be equal to live price? Live cull cow prices?

 

[Dave]

Dave, what would that be equal to live price? Live cull cow prices?

If the cow dressed 50%, $1.90 on the rail is $0.95 live weight. It takes a pretty good cow to dress 50%. I don't think I had many, if any 50% cows.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Thanks. Yes, I should have remembered that. Pretty sure mine will. Got an old 15 year old that didn't breed this spring. The old cow I posted in "Show us your herd bulls"



Sure hate to ship her. What a great dam!! We have at least 5 daughters and haven't counted how many grand and gr grand daughters. She gave us at least 4 sets of twins (which I hate twins). But, she spits them out and raises both. I know at least 2 sets were heifers. Never had the prettiest udder (uneven), but super functional and obviously lots of milk. I had 3 of my great old cows put on the cull list. 16 - 15 - 15 years old. I think the drought we had earlier in the summer affected their ability to settle.
Got a buyer that picks them up - paying $0.85 off my scales. He uses them for hamburg.

 

[farmerjan]

Nice big fleshy healthy looking cows like yours @Jeanne - Simme Valley are bringing in the $.80 to $1.00 lb here... most are in the $.65 to $.80 for average cull cows. We got 1.10 for a 2100+ lb bull 2 weeks ago. Commission on these bigger animals is costing $25 to $50 a head... plus our travel to the sale... so you are getting paid very fair there considering no commission and no travel to a sale time and fuel. And not having her go through the sale and get poked and prodded in those places is also a consideration. We once sold a bull direct to a guy who put him right on the trailer and sent him to the plant with others rather than put him through a ring and getting shoved and all through a couple of loads and unloads too.
I would hate to ship her also, but it is better than burying her and you have lots of progeny to carry on her legacy.

 

[Son of Butch]

We got 1.10 for a 2100+ lb bull 2 weeks ago. Commission on these bigger animals is costing $25 to $50 a head... plus our travel to the sale...

A couple of sale barns here in Minnesota have also added a $50 "Bull handling fee."
for mature bulls.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Forgot to tell you, see weighed 1740# - so $1479 paid for cull cow.

 

[Aero]

We shipped the broken mouth cows on Monday. I got the check today. Most of the cows either brought $1.90 or $1.87 a pound on the rail. There was two smaller thinner cows that got $1.81 and $1.75 a pound.

Is this hanging weight rates?

 

[Dave]

Is this hanging weight rates?

Yes, on the rail is hanging weight.

 

[Till-Hill]

You did well Dave, shipped cow last Monday. Check was $.7150 live and $1.58 hanging. 1660# very tall show bred Holstein.

 

[Aero]

Yes, on the rail is hanging weight.

Thanks. I don't think there is a rail option anywhere near me in NC.

 

[Travlr]

A couple of sale barns here in Minnesota have also added a $50 "Bull handling fee."
for mature bulls.

That's a pile of manure. Added fees are a good reason to go somewhere else. But news travels fast and when one place does it another is quick to follow.

 

[TexasRancher]

A couple of sale barns here in Minnesota have also added a $50 "Bull handling fee."
for mature bulls.

They'll earn EVERY bit of that $50. when my "spirited" bull is taken in....he will crush through any fence or gate THAT's not within the promised land or without his handler in sight. Folks in the sale arena had better sit up higher in the stands...if he can't clear 8 foot...he might just belly-flop-it down to a comfortable 6 foot and slip over it.

 

[Travlr]

They'll earn EVERY bit of that $50. when my "spirited" bull is taken in....he will crush through any fence or gate THAT's not within the promised land or without his handler in sight. Folks in the sale arena had better sit up higher in the stands...if he can't clear 8 foot...he might just belly-flop-it down to a comfortable 6 foot and slip over it.

Why are you using a bull like that? Give me your reasoning.