ChrisB":2ygtrhrp said:
You can find a very good bull for $1600, sure I could find a bit better one for say $2400, and I may get 10 more pounds per calf at weaning.
I think you'll see more than 10 lbs of calf at weaning with a jump between a $1600 bull and a $2400 bull, if you're speaking averages? Sure there are some _ok_ $1600 bulls (and sometimes, you'll get lucky and score an excellent bull) and some poor $2400 bulls around, but on the average I'd expect to see more than 10 lbs of weaning weight out of the more expensive bull.
And if you keep your animals past weaning, the weight spread grows. That $1500 bull may only give you 2 or 2.5 lbs/day backgrounding growth, whereas a good bull is going to give you 3 or more on the same feed ration.
edit: Forgot to mention that a good bull will consistently net you calves that will sell at or near the top of the market. May only be a nickel a pound, but if you're selling 8 weights, thats an extra 40 bucks a calf.
And when finishing, carcass quality can mean the difference between making a decent margin and simply feeding your animals out for free. One of my neighbors makes money hand over fist each year on his animals. He finishes every one, and has been doing it for over 30 years. These days, he won't spend less than $4000 on a bull, and he often spends more. He used to buy lower end bulls, but spent a couple years buying high end bulls and compared margins. The high end bulls paid for themselves in the first year, and he never looked back.
Another thing to keep in mind during this price discussion is that prices alone vary from region to region and yearly. In my area, during BSE, bulls that would have normally brought $5 - $6000 were selling for 3. We also get alot of out-of-province buyers in Saskatchewan as they feel they get higher quality for less money here than they do at home.
Rod