One thing I just don't understand is that people focus on price, but don't put their focus where it should be, which is, wait for it, what is your goal, or what exactly are you trying to accomplish. Are you looking to raise replacement heifers or just want to get max growth and money out of your weaned calves? Do you want a herd or short term gain. What are you trying to accomplish, and are you willing to pay the short term price to accomplish long term goals? What are you really trying to get done...and be honest with yourself. Sometimes cash flow restricts your ability, but you also need to balance short term and long term, just remember that filling short term needs can and will hamper your long term goals.
That stated, I've watched sale after sale from Dec thru March and have seen plenty of bulls from plenty of reputable breeders that could, hypothetically via EPDs, accomplish plenty depending on what those goals are in the $2700 to $3500 range. Granted that most of what I've seen are Angus as that is what interests me, it wouldn't be too difficult to pick up an 18month to 2 year old bull in that price range and get what you're looking for. In fact, most of those breeders will send that bull to you for free if you're within a couple states and actually offer your money back if it's not what you're expecting. I would have a difficult time refusing what I bought unless it was something way out of line, but you could look at it as something as simple as buying a pair of boots off Amazon. That's kind of the world we live in.
Honestly, I've seen sales where I wonder if some of the buyers are more interested in showing off than actually buying good bulls. You know, the I can spend $15k on this bull because I want to, as opposed to spending realistic money on a good bull that will do exactly the same thing. I get it, the show is part of the game, but why play a losing game?
I just sold my place and will start over at the end of the year after a well earned hiatus. I will put a real plan into place and leave my grandkids a place that, if they want, they can run as something that I would be proud of, or even my parents or grandparents would wonder how I pulled it off for them. I will do it mostly how I've been doing it, but I will invest better in real herd goal accomplishment and less about short term gain. More out of ability to build something than need to maintain positive cash flow.