Replacement Heifer Values Hang in Record Territory

[TexasJerseyMilker]

"Dairy springer values stay knocking on the door of $4,000 per head, and calf prices continue to soar."

https://www.dairyherd.com/news/business/replacement-heifer-values-hang-record-territory?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9mbY_A-XgaTPzQY3z_27kb2BzeQYVj1CAbGYQ5rNN_IC2tvZmynEkAny4jhA1LCT_vttBxgF9iC84KSjIO5VySnuZ__g

"It's history in the making in U.S. dairy animal trade right now, as springer values stay knocking on the door of $4,000 per head, and calf prices continue to soar. Newborn beef-cross calves are bringing north of $1,000 per head nationwide. Ironically, those calves also are at least partially the source of climbing heifer values. In the January 2025 USDA Cattle Report, lactating dairy cows showed an annual tally of about 9.5 million head, up about 3,000 head from the previous year. But the count of dairy heifers 500 pounds and over fell nearly 40,000 head as dairy producers continue to reach for beef semen to raise high-in-demand crossbred calves. That demand is fueled by a dwindling U.S. beef cow herd, which the same report noted was the smallest in 64 years."

$3000-3,800	$2,200-2,900
$1,800-3,000	$1,200-1,700	$350-600	$800-$1,200
$3,900-4,000	$3,550-3,900	No test	$1,200-1,325
No report	No report	$650-1,125	$1,075-1,375

Table with 5 columns and 5 rows.

[th]

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[th]

Springing Heifers​

[/th][th]

Heifer Calves​

[/th][th]

Beef Cross Calves​

[/th]​

[th width="4em"]

Location (sale date)​

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[td width="4em"]Supreme/Top[/td][td width="4em"]Approved/Medium[/td][td width="4em"]90-120 lbs[/td][td width="4em"]60-100 lbs[/td]

[th width="4em"]

Turlock, Calif. (2-28-25)​

[/th]​

[th width="4em"]

Lomira, Wis. (4-4-25)​

[/th]​

[th width="4em"]

Pipestone, Minn. (3-20-25)​

[/th]​

[th width="4em"]

New Holland, Pa. (3-31-25)​

[/th]​

 

[Dsth]

it is nice to see both beef and dairy cattle bringing record high prices. I have read some articles that predict prices for USA grown beef will increase if the tariffs stay in place. no limit to when/if prices will stabilize.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

You have to click on the article to see the prices. It did not copy and paste very well.

 

[coachg]

Friend that's works at Arab stockyards in Alabama said they sold 4 heifers with their 2-300 lb calves yesterday . One with a heifer calf brought $4100, the 3 with bull calves north of 4300 ! Said the heifers were black / black baldies with black calves . Heifers were in the 800 lb range.

 

[greybeard]

You have to click on the article to see the prices. It did not copy and paste very well.

'printscreen' key sometimes works better than copy/paste...

 

[Travlr]

Friend that's works at Arab stockyards in Alabama said they sold 4 heifers with their 2-300 lb calves yesterday . One with a heifer calf brought $4100, the 3 with bull calves north of 4300 ! Said the heifers were black / black baldies with black calves . Heifers were in the 800 lb range.

Is that a misprint? 800 pound heifers with 2/300 pound calves? Those are pretty lightweight heifers. Small? Or starved?

 

[Dave]

Is that a misprint? 800 pound heifers with 2/300 pound calves? Those are pretty lightweight heifers. Small? Or starved?

Here 800 pound bred heifers are just about a give away.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

I have 3 breeding age Jersey open heifers that I raised. A local dairy quoted me they were worth $3500.

 

[1982vett]

Still the old rule of thumb...2 weaned calves to pay for 1 replacement holds true. Yeah, record prices, but the hamburger I have to pay $9 for now cost me 30 cents when I was in high school. Pretty much record pricing everywhere.

 

[jltrent]

I hope it last cause like vett said everything is matching the cattle prices. After 2014 they came down and this time if it happens is going to be rougher. Land taxes, insurance, equipment, parts, labor and all other input cost are rising and no end in sight, yet it seems. A 4k cow is hard to pencil out as she better be good.

 

[chaded]

The timing is not good for me. I was starting to cull hard and try to rebuild and between having almost all bulls this years and the prices being what they are for replacements, I'm leaning towards just selling the few of what I have left and being done for awhile.

 

[Travlr]

The timing is not good for me. I was starting to cull hard and try to rebuild and between having almost all bulls this years and the prices being what they are for replacements, I'm leaning towards just selling the few of what I have left and being done for awhile.

If you think it is hard to rebuild due to culling and needing replacements, it's harder to rebuild from nothing.

 

[chaded]

If you think it is hard to rebuild due to culling and needing replacements, it's harder to rebuild from nothing.

I started from nothing but that really isn't the point.

 

[Dave]

This year late winter I could have bought decent breeding size heifer for under $2.50. So less than $2000 a head. If I would have had the grass (fire) I would have bought a load of them to breed and sell this fall. I am sure they would have made a dime or two.