I am going to stick my nose in here because I don't think
@Dave was as defensive, as you
@Travlr are so quick to put your opinion out there in an aggressive manner, as if it was the only "better way" to go.... buy a better cow for a "few pennies more"...your criteria was more consistent and higher quality.... when around here
@Dave is right... they are $100's more...not pennies on the dollar.....and someone that knows cattle, can buy and find the better cattle in the "cheaper ones"....
I agree with buying older proven cows at sales where they are downsizing or just selling off the older cows... we know a guy that sells his cows over 8-10 years old every year... we have bought a few and gotten some nice calves to raise as keepers... and had some not so good ones also...
I also buy a few one and dones.... we dabble with a few of them. Dave obviously has the eye to buy them and make money on them... and does it consistently for several years. This is not for people that are not well "versed" in cattle ....
If someone is a "newer" cattle person, they probably should buy some that are more consistent in type and color, if they want a more consistent calf crop... but there is no one model for others of more experience, and saying that people should do xyz because you have done it and it is the way to do it, is being a little too .........opinionated.