Heavier calves here in Va have been bringing better prices than lighter. One buyer at a local sale told my son this week that the buyers do not want these bawling calves due to too much sickness. The weather has made buying these unweaned calves a nightmare... cold, damp, wet weather, temp swings etc.. Pnuemonia, other resp. problems are awful.
We lost an old cow the other day, 3+ month old calf on her. Not thin, but this weather I think is just dragging them down. Talked to several cow/calf guys at a meeting tuesday night and they are all talking about losing some animals.... guys who just don't lose but a very minor number ever.
Many buyers are saying no more unweaned until we get some cold and frozen stuff and the raw dampness lets up. That said, we are going to hold ours til the middle of Jan at least. Got about 50 or more to wean, some heifers we are going to keep. They might not all be weaned but, but nothing here will be sold for at least a month. Prices here are so off that it would make you cry. I'm talking feeders mostly steers in the $.75 to $1.25 range a few hit $1.40's.... but not many. Heifers you can pick up for $.65 to $1.00 all day long. Best cull cows brought $.31, down to $.11....