Bestoutwest":13atsog6 said:
Some more questions from the previous reply:
1) To do registered do you have to show to get the name out there, does it help a lot?
2) I have neither a lot of $$ (we're not poor, but not millionaires) nor do we have a big cattle last name. How bad will that hurt us for registered?
3) How important is it to keep track of EPD's for selling seed stock?
4) Finally, I saw a yearling heifer that was in the 'top 5 of her breed' for some trait. How does this work, and how truthful is something like that? How much will that hurt a little guy that I might not ever produce something like this?
The only reason I'm looking at registered is that it would be really nice to sell one for $2K than at the salebarn or as freezer beef for $1K. I think, though, I may be barking up the wrong tree but since we're not $100K into it, I think now is the time to information gather.
Quite frankly I believe you might be barking up the wrong tree as a newbie - and that is not meant to be an insult as I do not think I have never read any of your other threads - so I do not know how far along you are.
1. Registered might be nice when you are drinking coffee and telling tales with the boys but in truth if you are just getting going - it is not something that would impress a lot of folks if they are in the know. There are some truly spectacular grade herds and they often make the registered stuff look pretty average. People run registered herds and think everything is worth selling for breeding simply because of papers - when in fact 90% (some might even say more) should be cut, culled or sold for meat. That is how the good guys got their start and kept their name. Most - not all - of the paper I have seen on this site is good for fire starter.
2. Find quality - registered does not guarantee it - in fact it will possibly suck you in big time. Especially if you get some from one of those smooth talkers that tells you it is related to ?????? and has this "such and such" top quality or ability in the blood line.
3. EPD's? You need history and progeny to be accurate - if you start calculating off 10 animals and three youngster each I personally am not interested.
4. I have no idea. It depends. LOL
Sale barns - well, I sold some calves that hit almost a thousand bucks - let me see - had them for less than nine months, put no feed into them, put no vaccines into them, put no doctoring into them, put no nothing into them other than mom, the calf sucking on her tits and some grass - pure profit. Compare that to going the long way.
And remember the risk!
There are so many people that come here and say "Found a dead one today" that it is almost pitiful. Not always, but a lot of the time those deads might be around if the person knew at least a few of the signs to look for. One dead sure takes a toll on your income. Two more and three even more. Watch the threads for the "Should I call a vet?" - get more than one on your speed dial no matter where you are - they tend to come in handy now and then.
We sold the calves and took the money and lost nothing and cut our risk - someone else has them now. Their problem. They have a quality and healthy animal that left here and went somewhere else. I have a pocket full of cash. And THAT is our main objective - might not be yours, but it IS ours. It is a business for us. As long as money coming in exceeds money going out life is good. Be ready for it - it does not always happen that way.
Freezer beef at $1K?
Let me see. 1400 pound animal slaughters out to hang at - depending on the animal, breed and sex at around 800 pounds - some will argue the weight but it is simply an example. Sold at 3 bucks a pound hanging weight is $2400 bucks in my part of the world. More if you are a decent marketer.
I am pretty outspoken on registered stock - there is so much schitte out there that unless you are a pro or you are selling to a newb - you better have your ducks in a row. Plain and simple - it is a game where people have to have their big boy pants on all the time. All you have to do is look on Craigs List at the stuff for sale with papers.
There are at least 20 or more folks on this site that have stellar grade/commercial herds and I would put them up against any registered stuff out there. And there is a lot of knowledge and there is a lot of "I think" knowledge. Best you be aware of that before you sink too much into it.
Start with quality grade and build your business - and never forget this one most important piece of advice.
**********Almost anyone can raise a good cow, bull or calf. Very few have the ability to develop a market to sell into. The market is where the money is - only you have to go to it - it will not come to you!**********
If they did, the sale barns would not be as busy as they are.
Which ever way you decide to go I wish you all the best - but be ready for some serious failure along the way - it happens to everyone so even when you get discouraged - go out back - kick yourself in the azz and get back at it.
Best to all
Bez