Ky cowboy
Well-known member
I've been trying to find some nice older bred cows to keep for a couple of years till I lose a lease farm. What's a fair price for older hvy bred 1300lb black cows.
I bought 1 the other day reasonably priced. The last sale I went to they were going for $1100+, and were wild. Called about some larger groups today they were $1200 all 6-8 months bred. They're more optimistic then I am for fall pricesThere is 82 of those out in my pasture. They were purchased between November 11 and January 21. 6 of them have already calved. The majority will calf between now and the end of March. There is a lot of broken mouth cows but not all. As a group they averaged weighing 1,219 pounds. They averaged costing $657. Never paid over $750 a head. The ones bought on January 21 included 6 "full mouth" cows bred 7-8 months. Those 6 cows cost between $700 and $750 a head. There was 2 at $700 that weighed 1,100 and 2 at $750 that weighed 1,370. Can't remember what the other two weighed and cost but they were between these other 4.
Don't know what fair is.I've been trying to find some nice older bred cows to keep for a couple of years till I lose a lease farm. What's a fair price for older hvy bred 1300lb black cows.
What I didn't say earlier is how many times I came home with an empty trailer. Figure out what you can afford to spend and still turn a profit. If they sell for more than that, it cost less mo
It's risky unless they are dirt cheap. I haven't had any luck trying to get a second calf out of a short-term cow. At a recent N.D. sale summer calvers could be had for around $1300. To go less than $1000, they would have to be smooth or broken mouth. Good running age cows about $1550.I've been trying to find some nice older bred cows to keep for a couple of years till I lose a lease farm. What's a fair price for older hvy bred 1300lb black cows.
I have made good money for years buying broken mouth cows in the winter. Ship the cows directly to the plant in mid August. Calves are 45 days weaned the end of September when they leave. Had one of those older cows calf this morning. BWF cow had a solid red bull calf. I looked back at the records. She cost me $519 on November 11 when I bought her. She will kill for more than I paid for her. I will have $352 in feed and pasture against the calf who will be worth? But certainly more than $352.It's risky unless they are dirt cheap. I haven't had any luck trying to get a second calf out of a short-term cow. At a recent N.D. sale summer calvers could be had for around $1300. To go less than $1000, they would have to be smooth or broken mouth. Good running age cows about $1550.
I've been going to the sales when work permits, I'll keep looking and hold out for better priced. I did get a 7+ bred solid mouth hereford for $925 few weeks back. She weighed 1400lbsI have made good money for years buying broken mouth cows in the winter. Ship the cows directly to the plant in mid August. Calves are 45 days weaned the end of September when they leave. Had one of those older cows calf this morning. BWF cow had a solid red bull calf. I looked back at the records. She cost me $519 on November 11 when I bought her. She will kill for more than I paid for her. I will have $352 in feed and pasture against the calf who will be worth? But certainly more than $352.
Can't beat $519 very easily! You'll definitely make money on that deal. When I first started fall-calving I bought a few late breds to get my numbers up, but would have been far better off to do what you are doing. Thinking about pulling the trigger in that direction this year as I have more pasture than hay land. Most likely on June/July calvers.I have made good money for years buying broken mouth cows in the winter. Ship the cows directly to the plant in mid August. Calves are 45 days weaned the end of September when they leave. Had one of those older cows calf this morning. BWF cow had a solid red bull calf. I looked back at the records. She cost me $519 on November 11 when I bought her. She will kill for more than I paid for her. I will have $352 in feed and pasture against the calf who will be worth? But certainly more than $352.
What would you estimate as the winter price difference between BM and SS in your market?I have made good money for years buying broken mouth cows in the winter.
Probably $100-150 difference. By spring (April) it is almost all pairs and I am not on the market so I am not at the sale. April is brandings almost daily and turn out.What would you estimate as the winter price difference between BM and SS in your market?
Does this change noticeably in the spring?
For $519 and some hay, I think you ended up with a pretty nice pair. That's how you make money. Nice job!Here is my $519 cow with her calf at about noon yesterday. At 7:00 this morning he looked more red than he did at noon. But it had just stopped snowing so he was wet. In the morning I was thinking she was bred to Red Angus. In the afternoon I am going more with Charolais. No matter, healthy calf.
Getting a second calf is mostly about feed.It's risky unless they are dirt cheap. I haven't had any luck trying to get a second calf out of a short-term cow. At a recent N.D. sale summer calvers could be had for around $1300. To go less than $1000, they would have to be smooth or broken mouth. Good running age cows about $1550.
Dave, I am considering sticking to that philosophy. My brahma didnt give me a live calf this year. Her first was good. So now I've had her 2 seasons for nothin! I kept her bull calf.That $519 cow would be my cheapest cow of the bunch. #13 was $580, #14 was $600, #25 and #40 both cost $700. All 5 have calves on the ground. The highest price cows here this year cost $1,560 That was times 130 head that were all 3 and 4 year olds. Same guy sold 83 bred heifers that brought $1,350 which was the highest priced heifers I saw.
There are some out here that would make another calf but I am pretty cutthroat when doing this deal. Come the middle of August they will all get a trip to the plant. Next winter I will start with a new bunch.