$ Raising Replacement Heifers

[Aaron]

It's important to remember that most people sell off their middle and lower cuts as breds,

I bought a bunch of these before I knew better. After 18 months I would have between 1/3 to 1/2 left. The rest were culls that did not fit our system.

Our system is a bit different than some. Color does not matter. Zero tolerance for disposition. The cows calve on grass and rotate through mostly improved pastures. They are expected to get fat by fall. Winter is a bit tough with bale grazing crop residue near some portable wind breaks. Most calves are not weaned till January. Replacement heifers stay on the cows till early spring. Last year I gave the heifers a little supplement in March, but they usually have to learn how to rough it.

Well, if we ever get this border figured out, you could buy my best heifers (that's all I bother to keep anyways) and I guarantee they'll work for you. I can always breed more of them.

Also, to give you an update on retention rates, regarding the 2012 fall heifer calves. I mentioned in the summer that it may end up being 100%. So of the 14 in that group, I shipped one in the fall due to disposition, and I have reserved judgement on 2 of them until spring, as to what I am going to do with them (likely ship). So (for sure) 11 out of 14 will end up being bred, bringing retention to 78.5% on that bunch.

 

[Stocker Steve]

). So (for sure) 11 out of 14 will end up being bred, bringing retention to 78.5% on that bunch.

That is impressive. I am in the 22% retention range.

 

[Aaron]

). So (for sure) 11 out of 14 will end up being bred, bringing retention to 78.5% on that bunch.

That is impressive. I am in the 22% retention range.

There are 9 of them with the heifer bull right now and they are a fancy little package, I'd put them all around the 900 lb mark, give or take 30 lbs.

 

[Dave]

I bought 700-800 pound heifers late last winter. Bred them in May. Sold them in October. It worked out real well for me. But as I was taught years ago at a grazing conference you have to find your unfair advantage. My unfair advantage is I am buying at a low price market. We are pretty isolated. Big city urban sprawl to the north. A state border with loops to jump threw (brand inspection, health papers) to the south. The ocean to the west and a mountain range to the east. As a result not a lot of competition from other buyers. That and it is a small enough market that order buyers have a hard time buying pot loads. But I can get 3-8 a week. And I raised enough to put them on a semi and get them out of here to sell. I would have taken a bath selling locally. I was into them less than your numbers from Noble and I sold them for more than that number.

 

[Stocker Steve]

And I raised enough to put them on a semi and get them out of here to sell. I would have taken a bath selling locally. I was into them less than your numbers from Noble and I sold them for more than that number.

It is interesting that when you go west into SD that the top of the bred cow and heifer markets are much higher (+ $500 to $700 per head).
A few guys shipped feeders out there, but I don't think many folks have enough breds to make a load.

 

[highgrit]

I would load my trailer up and haul tail to SD. Even just 10 cows it's well worth it to me. You guy's must work on a higher profit margin
in the corn belt. I haul my steers 5hrs. each way, for $20.00-30.00 a hundred now.

 

[Stocker Steve]

I update some business numbers every New Year. One thing I looked at the morning was replacement gross margin. To keep the math around this really really simple - -

If you buy open yearling heifers for $1.55 per lb
and later you sell bred heifers for $1.55 per lb
then your value of gain is $1.55 per lb

I realize that big heifers are not ideal for feed conversion, but is there anything other than bottle calves that can touch this value of gain ? :?

 

[thommoos]

hook here you can sell your top reg weaned heifers for $1600 to $2000 a hd.an then buy back the same or better genetics for $3500 a pair or less.

BB I got a a sugar grand daughter line bred painted tiger granddaughter for sale registered you say reg weaned heifers 1600 - 2000 maybe I need to sell her there

 

[bigbull338]

thommoos here the heifer prices are higher than ive ever seen them.