If you had sold out, back when they were high, would you be better off? Unless you hit it just right, you would have lost the sale of a calf crop. You'd had some taxes to pay. You'd be starting over somewhere. If it's heifers, that's a long process. If you bought bred cows, they may just be someone else's trouble. What do ya think?
If you had sold out?
- Thread starter Bigfoot
- Start date
JMJ Farms
Well-known member
I would have been worse off bc of the things you mentioned and the fact that good momma cows are still hard to find here.
A lot depends on the quality and age of the cows when you could sell high. I wish every cow/calf I had was gone and said so during the time when they were the highest as a lot of mine are getting old. The only problem then who knew they would fall this fast.
TennesseeTuxedo
Well-known member
Ask Isomade. He did it.
callmefence
Keyboard cowboy
I made I huge mistake in retaining heifers. I bought the hype the high was gonna continue for a year or more. It was a huge business mistake. 20 heifers not sold last year would have produced the cash to buy 40 right now.
I sold some cows that I'm glad I sold. I bought some that I wish I hadnt .
If I had a crystal ball, and the same senerio set up again . I would sell out . maybe a few to keep landlords of lease property content. There's plenty I need to spend money on that would lighten the tax hit.
I sold some cows that I'm glad I sold. I bought some that I wish I hadnt .
If I had a crystal ball, and the same senerio set up again . I would sell out . maybe a few to keep landlords of lease property content. There's plenty I need to spend money on that would lighten the tax hit.
callmefence":1hp53nk1 said:
I retained close to 40, and even bought a few that matched mine at the yard. I picked these years, years ago as a time of expansion (retire in a little over 3 years). Yes, I should have waited. Can't say I'm completely sorry about what I did.
True Grit Farms
Well-known member
I should of sold out and knew it, but I couldn't handle the complaining from the wife. I sold half our herd and all the heifers, and my crazy wife still wishes we'd of kept some of the heifers. Making money is never a bad thing. We've been thinking about getting into registered stock again, and now would be a good time to buy in. IMO Because from what I see in the cow - calf business, is your just kidding yourself if you think your making any real money. So if you're doing it for the lifestyle why not do it with half the cattle, and keep living the dream?
callmefence
Keyboard cowboy
Bigfoot":3mj25cq5 said:
O I'm not sorry at all. I just could have played it better. Bought my heifers this year and a nice shiny piece of equipment. Or I could of sold out and cleared cedar, improved my place, my grasses etc. That woulda been ideal.
On the other hand I would be out of a calf crop th his year. The cows are out there eating grass and growing calves while I'm off to work.that's a good deal the way I see it.
If I was dependant on it for a living, I'd be toast
skyhightree1
Well-known member
Bigfoot":gscs99co said:
I am glad I sold off most of what I had when prices were high. Am I better off can't say that either but it enabled me to purchase some property from the sale of them. if I sold now I would have had to come out of pocket instead of cattle footing the bill.
I should have sold about half of mine .. they are still producing but getting some age .. I'll try to hold on to them until prices go up again .. dump them when I can get a little more for them .. Unless they miss a calf or something ..
Nesikep
Well-known member
well, last year I got twice as much for my lightest steer as i got for my heaviest this year.. so while yes, I'd be money ahead having sold out, and the income would definitely hold me over for a couple years, if I were to do it that way I might as well become a car salesman. I am glad I culled a bunch last year though!
True Grit Farms
Well-known member
Nesikep":1ehu4ubn said:
Nesikep, you are stuck with what you have cow wise. The cows are family, have names and a family tree. I admire your dedication to them.
Stocker Steve
Well-known member
You can not go back, but should you sell down now? We have had a wreak locally with un weaned heifers as low as 70 to 80 cents. This is less than the average direct cost for running a Minnesota cow which was reported as $586 for 2015. So:
Sell the cow for $200 more than the heifer calf is worth today.
Keep the calf and save at least another $150 in winter feed.
No calf to sell in 2017, but since calves are/will not be worth more than your cost you are not out anything... Perhaps even save another $150...
So now you are up $500 for producing less. :shock: What am I missing?
Sell the cow for $200 more than the heifer calf is worth today.
Keep the calf and save at least another $150 in winter feed.
No calf to sell in 2017, but since calves are/will not be worth more than your cost you are not out anything... Perhaps even save another $150...
So now you are up $500 for producing less. :shock: What am I missing?
RanchMan90
Well-known member
Good point. Multiply that by 100 head and sitting by the fire don't sound too bad 
Dave
Well-known member
I did sell out in 2013 when I saw an opportunity to buy heifers, breed them, and sell them as bred heifers. In 2013 I did real well selling out an aging set cows. The heifer deal worked great for three years. This year..... well we will see. Next year's plan is still undecided. But if I still had pairs right now I would be shipping all but the very best young cows and buying top end heifers for less than the cows bring. Actually the bred heifer deal might work again next year. Not because bred heifers will be in high demand but because you can buy open heifers so cheap. Purchase price on the open heifers is the highest cost of the bred heifer program.
2013 I paid an average of $860 a head for heifers and made decent money. 2014 I paid $1030 for the heifers and made a killing. 2015 I had to pay $1500 for them and still made good money. This year I paid $1050 and I still own them. Right now I could buy heifers to breed in the spring for $600, maybe less. Hmmmmm...... But I do notice that the people who paid $2000 plus for bred heifers the last couple years aren't knocking my door down.
2013 I paid an average of $860 a head for heifers and made decent money. 2014 I paid $1030 for the heifers and made a killing. 2015 I had to pay $1500 for them and still made good money. This year I paid $1050 and I still own them. Right now I could buy heifers to breed in the spring for $600, maybe less. Hmmmmm...... But I do notice that the people who paid $2000 plus for bred heifers the last couple years aren't knocking my door down.
Douglas
Well-known member
Stocker Steve":3v08ns89 said:
The sale of a calf in 2017? Can sell the cow later anyway regardless.Cost of the heifer next year spring/summer won't be much more than the old cow, Will you need a different bull.
NO. Absolutely not for me.
This will be my highest gross earnings in 6 years.
I was fortunate to get in before the high prices. I have high quality registered stock that I bought for $1600 as bred heifers. The cost share program has given me four bred heifers for which my share is about $400 a piece. I sold a bull yesterday at Farm Fest for $2500. He was out of one on my cost share heifers. She due with a Broadway calf in a week. I would say I have done well on her.
Nope. Glad I am still in the GAME. It is business but there is a lot of game in it. I think those who don't go to the sales and experience how the game is played are missing some FUN.
This will be my highest gross earnings in 6 years.
I was fortunate to get in before the high prices. I have high quality registered stock that I bought for $1600 as bred heifers. The cost share program has given me four bred heifers for which my share is about $400 a piece. I sold a bull yesterday at Farm Fest for $2500. He was out of one on my cost share heifers. She due with a Broadway calf in a week. I would say I have done well on her.
Nope. Glad I am still in the GAME. It is business but there is a lot of game in it. I think those who don't go to the sales and experience how the game is played are missing some FUN.
