Registered Angus or shorthorns

[justlearning]

I'm on 80 acres in central Minnesota. I've raised a few calves previously but more for my freezer than anything else. I want to start a small herd of beef cows. I'm thinking my farm can handle 15-20 cows. I have the opportunity to buy three shorthorn heifers weighing about 500 lb. each, or 2 registered black Angus bred cows out of a good herd. The shorthorns will cost a buck and a quarter a pound and the Angus cows about $1,200 ea. Question being is there enough value added in the registered animals come market time to make the larger investment worth while?

 

[auctionboy]

This all depends on what kind of salesmen you are and how much effort you want to put into conviencing people how great your cows are with numbers and names. I wouldn't go registered, but with your 80 acres you would have a chance to max your profits with registered without getting more land.

 

[dun]

You also have to look at the cost of raising those 500 lb heifers to the point of their calving vs the quicker return on you investment of buying bred cows.

dun

 

[toby]

If you can afford both the Shorthorns and the Angus this would be a start to those 18 head with good dervisity. Either a red angus or shorthorn bull should produce some real good caves.

 

[Bullbuyer]

Get the angus and look for more.

 

[Frankie]

I'm on 80 acres in central Minnesota. I've raised a few calves previously but more for my freezer than anything else. I want to start a small herd of beef cows. I'm thinking my farm can handle 15-20 cows. I have the opportunity to buy three shorthorn heifers weighing about 500 lb. each, or 2 registered black Angus bred cows out of a good herd. The shorthorns will cost a buck and a quarter a pound and the Angus cows about $1,200 ea. Question being is there enough value added in the registered animals come market time to make the larger investment worth while?

That depends on where you will market them. Look around and see if there's a market for the registered animals; if not go with the commercial. I know we've made more money with our small registered herd than we would have made with commercial cattle, but it is more work. Good luck...

 

[CowpokeJ]

I'm on 80 acres in central Minnesota. I've raised a few calves previously but more for my freezer than anything else. I want to start a small herd of beef cows. I'm thinking my farm can handle 15-20 cows. I have the opportunity to buy three shorthorn heifers weighing about 500 lb. each, or 2 registered black Angus bred cows out of a good herd. The shorthorns will cost a buck and a quarter a pound and the Angus cows about $1,200 ea. Question being is there enough value added in the registered animals come market time to make the larger investment worth while?

How old & how much bred?

 

[dun]

Just because they're registered doesn't mean you can't breed them as commercial. The last time I proced bred commercial cows around here they're were running 1200-1500, but that was 3-4 months ago.

 

[ENNOT]

I agree with Dun totally. In my mind, the two bred cows are a better investment because you have a faster rate of return. Registered or not, they still need to raise a calf. I have a few registered cows but they are held to the same standards as the commercial cows.

 

[dcara]

What is the age of the Angus cows as this affects your return on investment.

 

[boone]

You have to consider how you would get the heifers bred, and being new to the cow/calf business, odds are the two cows will give you a better chance of a trouble free first go round. Boone

 

[Jogeephus]

Go Commercial

 

[justlearning]

Thanks to all who responded to my question. I learned that I have a few more questions to ask about the cattle I'm considering. I also learned that there is no clear cut answer. I really do appreciate all the responses. I tend to over analyse things sometimes but I want to do the right thing from the start.