open heifers

[Ferrisgeorge]

I have about 35 open heifers that missed the breeding cycle. They are mainly angus influenced and weigh around 900lbs. Any suggestions on where to market them at. How do you sell directly to a large slaughter house? I would think that with the price of corn they would represent a good deal to someone who would want to finish feeding them out.
Thanks

 

[Angus Cowman]

first of it depends on where your located
feed lots would be more interested in them that a slaughter house as they are still to light to butcher but should finish quickly in a feedlot
I would contact several order buyers in your area or someone who feeds cattle to finish
if that doesn't work send them to a salebarn as right now they should bring a decent price

 

[Caustic Burno]

Those girls would fetch good money in Texas next spring if it rains with all the destocking that has took place.
Angus,Hereford and Brimmer's are going to be in high demand.

 

[tmlonghorns]

Some tough choices for folks in Texas and I have already heard MANY folks on this board in texas selling out due to the drought and high cost of feed. But, if as you are suggesting, demand will be high in the spring then prices should also be even higher than they are today, which depends on when you look it is my understanding are already at or near record highs.
So my question is that is demand will be high then why do we hear of so many folks getting out? Could be a damned if you do and a damned if you don't situation.
Just my .02

 

[Caustic Burno]

Some tough choices for folks in Texas and I have already heard MANY folks on this board in texas selling out due to the drought and high cost of feed. But, if as you are suggesting, demand will be high in the spring then prices should also be even higher than they are today, which depends on when you look it is my understanding are already at or near record highs.
So my question is that is demand will be high then why do we hear of so many folks getting out? Could be a damned if you do and a damned if you don't situation.
Just my .02

It is pretty simple why they are getting out, it's not by choice. It's because the they don't have any dam grass, hay, or water. When this drought breaks you haven't come close to seeing record prices. Predictions are for breeding cattle to 2000 and up next spring.

 

[dun]

Predictions are for breeding cattle to 2000 and up next spring.

But that is only if the drought breaks, could go on for years yet. It has to rain sometime, it alwasy has. I would rather suck it up now and then restart then keep pounding snd own a rat hole hoping that it breaks before I would be so far in hock that I wouldn;t be able to see the end.
The last actual drought we had here was 3 years before it broke, and we still haven;t totaly recovered from it. This year we had 2 months with no rain then last month in the first half we got 10 inches but none since.

 

[Limomike]

I have about 35 open heifers that missed the breeding cycle. They are mainly angus influenced and weigh around 900lbs. Any suggestions on where to market them at. How do you sell directly to a large slaughter house? I would think that with the price of corn they would represent a good deal to someone who would want to finish feeding them out.
Thanks

Why not wait for the next cycle instead of selling them??

 

[hillsdown]

I have about 35 open heifers that missed the breeding cycle. They are mainly angus influenced and weigh around 900lbs. Any suggestions on where to market them at. How do you sell directly to a large slaughter house? I would think that with the price of corn they would represent a good deal to someone who would want to finish feeding them out.
Thanks

Why not wait for the next cycle instead of selling them??

I think he means breeding season ,maybe they cannot get pregnant .

 

[cowman]

Breed em ? IF they will

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

Wouldn't it be unusual for 35 heifers to all come up open?

How many cows did get pregnant? Is the bull to blame?

 

[Stocker Steve]

Wouldn't it be unusual for 35 heifers to all come up open? Is the bull to blame?

Bull is a factor that is easy to see in a single sire herd.
I would call a couple buyers and let them find the best outlet.

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

What do you suppose is wrong with them (aside from being open of course)?

 

[hillsdown]

Wouldn't it be unusual for 35 heifers to all come up open?

How many cows did get pregnant? Is the bull to blame?

Depends on lots of things and heat also comes into play as well. I would get them checked to make sure they are cycling and breedable, run a new bull with them asap. Or ship them as slaughter heifers.

35 head open may be alot or may be normal especially if you have 1000 head of heifers.

 

[Ferrisgeorge]

Thank you all for your suggestions. These were a group of heifers I had AI'd without a cleanup bull.

 

[dun]

Thank you all for your suggestions. These were a group of heifers I had AI'd without a cleanup bull.

Timed AI or observation of heat AI

 

[highgrit]

Somebody messed up somewhere, thought you always used a clean up bull on replacement heifers??

 

[dun]

Somebody messed up somewhere, thought you always used a clean up bull on replacement heifers??

We never have, observed heats and 2 bites at the apple. If they don;t settle to the second service they go to th feed lot