Open Heifers - hahaha Just kidding!

[Spot & Bubby]

Bossman bought a set of bred cows for last season guaranteed to calve last February 15. First calf, a bull, from that set arrived end of November. Fast forward to this past February and several heifers from that set were among 19 being sold as open replacements. Fortunately, reputation means something to Bossman, and sent all heifers for ultrasounds, two from that early bull set turned up preggo. They didn't go to that sale or any sale. Because they are just babies, they'll stay with us until they calve so we can care for them and give them extra support for their safety. We recognize the danger involved and take responsibility for not preventing early pregnancy.

@Travlr I imagine that something like our situation or dozens of others could impact the reproductive future of any heifer. When buying heifers, there are too many unknows for a baby girl's well-being if she's bred... Unknown bull, unknown breeding dates, unpredictable calving ease, unpredictable birth weight, etc, etc. would be reasons I wouldn't want to buy bred replacements.

 

[Travlr]

@Travlr I imagine that something like our situation or dozens of others could impact the reproductive future of any heifer. When buying heifers, there are too many unknows for a baby girl's well-being if she's bred... Unknown bull, unknown breeding dates, unpredictable calving ease, unpredictable birth weight, etc, etc. would be reasons I wouldn't want to buy bred replacements.

Anybody worth doing business with, selling replacement heifers, will supply all those types of details. If they haven't the answers to those questions I wouldn't buy from them either.

 

[Dusty Britches]

I asked a man if he would guarantee me the load of heifers I was about to purchase were open. He laughed and said there are no guarantees in cattle. I folded my money and put it back in my pocket.

A man who will cheat you on 1 thing simply dont care about integrity.

 

[Spot & Bubby]

Anybody worth doing business with, selling replacement heifers, will supply all those types of details. If they haven't the answers to those questions I wouldn't buy from them either.

What I meant is that I'm too cynical to buy bred heifers (as if I'm in a position) AT ALL, regardless of guarantees from the seller, regardless of reputation. In my short time in this industry, I've heard too many tales of justifiable buyer's remorse, though not neccessarily with heifers. Even when a seller "makes good" on his guarantee, it seems there's always an operational cost that can't be recovered. In my extremely inexperienced opinion, there are risks not worth taking on heifers that wouldn't be even a second thought with a more experienced cow.

It's probably a "me problem," but I just wouldn't have peace of mind until the heifer(s) all calved what, how, and when guaranteed. And if they didn't, that failure could be near catastrophic to my entire program as an upstart producer, even if the guarantee is honored.

Before you call me out, know that I do recognize that I'm potentially over-thinking the whole thing.

 

[Travlr]

What I meant is that I'm too cynical to buy bred heifers (as if I'm in a position) AT ALL, regardless of guarantees from the seller, regardless of reputation. In my short time in this industry, I've heard too many tales of justifiable buyer's remorse, though not neccessarily with heifers. Even when a seller "makes good" on his guarantee, it seems there's always an operational cost that can't be recovered. In my extremely inexperienced opinion, there are risks not worth taking on heifers that wouldn't be even a second thought with a more experienced cow.

It's probably a "me problem," but I just wouldn't have peace of mind until the heifer(s) all calved what, how, and when guaranteed. And if they didn't, that failure could be near catastrophic to my entire program as an upstart producer, even if the guarantee is honored.

Before you call me out, know that I do recognize that I'm potentially over-thinking the whole thing.

I'm not going to call you out. You're thinking it through... and testing your perceptions, including recognizing your own weaknesses. That's a good thing.
When I sold bred replacement heifers as my business model I was selling them to experienced people with years in the business. They knew what they were getting, and they came back to buy again after a good experience.
As for myself, I prefer buying older cows. There are trade-offs.