why sell the calf when it hits the ground? if you are planning on keeping the cow, then the money from the new born calf will not even come close to paying for what the cow will eat, worming her etc.
as to whether the private treaty cows are worth 300-400 more... depends on a lot of things.. some being, are they better cows, what would they bring at the sale barn vs what the seller wants from you for them, how long do you plan on keeping them, etc.
i know a man here where i live in louisiana, that buys and sells cows. in my observation and conversations with him, he usually buys larger cows, older cows, med to heavy bred, BUT sound cows, i mean, she might be old, but she is in good shape, (bag #1, if she isnt giving alot of milk this equals poorer calf, feet, etc) and if he is buying a pair, the calf is of quality. it seems sometimes that these cows are bought cheaper per # because they are old and big. (1200-1500#) he will give killer price almost for them, let them have the calf and it get up to 300-500# and sell them both. since he didnt give much for the cow, she will return most of her cost when he sells her, then the calf is his profit.
easier said than done, this takes time, he goes to alot of sales and knows sound cows when he sees them.
good luck, gene
> Getting started and need some
> advice. I'll never be able to have
> more than about 10 head and my
> goal is to sell calves as they hit
> the ground..likely at the sale
> barn. Can't go the purebred,
> registered route as money is
> tight. But my question is this: I
> can buy bred cows by private
> treaty from a friend and know
> exactly what I'm getting...or I
> can get them at the sale barn for
> 300-400 dollars less and be
> guessing at what I've got. With a
> small operation and not having
> many calves to soften the initial
> investment expense, is the higher
> priced, private treaty deal the
> way to go? Any help would be
> appreciated...I'm in Alabama on
> pretty good pasture if it makes a
> difference in your answer. Thanks
> Much!
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