Ky hills
Well-known member
The other thread about making Ky cattle great again is very interesting, but being that I am a peon cattle farmer in Ky I am interested in how to make the business better.
Others as well as myself have mentioned some horrid circumstances and conditions that some cattle are in. I am convinced that it is not only here but other places as well, and I'm know that it is just a few in comparison to the cattle industry as a whole. I firmly believe that over all Ky cattle are just as good at this point in time overall than about anywhere else. I think most farmers recognize a need for using good quality Bulls. Most certainly understand that maintaining healthy cattle is vital to their herds success. The BQA guidelines are I believe largely followed and adhered to.
Branded commented about that our cattle here sell for peanuts, while I think that is an exaggeration I do wonder if there are ways that we smaller producers could maximize a bit more profit. It is common knowledge that when selling one or two head they sell considerably less than a group of even 5 or more. I have been selling calves through CPH sales were calves are weaned for at least 45 days, vaccinated twice according to requirements. Those calves are then graded and grouped out accordingly and commingled with other consignors calves giving a larger group to sell. I like these type programs and try to sell in them. There is also a similar sale specifically for Hereford influenced calves. The problem is there are only a few of those sales and sometimes the market changes drastically before sale time. Some Angus breeders that I know of have some similar sales for their bull customers. Selling to programs like CAB and Creekstone have been mentioned but I am thinking that is only an option for producers with fairly sizeable herds. Would be possibly good if something was put together where several farmers could go together and have a larger group of calves. I have mentioned to an Angus man about that maybe the association could help with it, I was laughed at he said they didn't have to everything was Angus anyway. I heard it mentioned once from a stockyard rep that they were looking at the possibility of an Angus source sale, but haven't heard any more about that.
Others as well as myself have mentioned some horrid circumstances and conditions that some cattle are in. I am convinced that it is not only here but other places as well, and I'm know that it is just a few in comparison to the cattle industry as a whole. I firmly believe that over all Ky cattle are just as good at this point in time overall than about anywhere else. I think most farmers recognize a need for using good quality Bulls. Most certainly understand that maintaining healthy cattle is vital to their herds success. The BQA guidelines are I believe largely followed and adhered to.
Branded commented about that our cattle here sell for peanuts, while I think that is an exaggeration I do wonder if there are ways that we smaller producers could maximize a bit more profit. It is common knowledge that when selling one or two head they sell considerably less than a group of even 5 or more. I have been selling calves through CPH sales were calves are weaned for at least 45 days, vaccinated twice according to requirements. Those calves are then graded and grouped out accordingly and commingled with other consignors calves giving a larger group to sell. I like these type programs and try to sell in them. There is also a similar sale specifically for Hereford influenced calves. The problem is there are only a few of those sales and sometimes the market changes drastically before sale time. Some Angus breeders that I know of have some similar sales for their bull customers. Selling to programs like CAB and Creekstone have been mentioned but I am thinking that is only an option for producers with fairly sizeable herds. Would be possibly good if something was put together where several farmers could go together and have a larger group of calves. I have mentioned to an Angus man about that maybe the association could help with it, I was laughed at he said they didn't have to everything was Angus anyway. I heard it mentioned once from a stockyard rep that they were looking at the possibility of an Angus source sale, but haven't heard any more about that.