Selling Cows

[poorfarmer]

I have a few cows that I am going to get rid of in the next month. They are older cows, 7-10 year old but each raised a calf this year, they are mainly to spooky to fool with anymore. They should be bred to calf next May. My question is should a guy have them preg. check at the action barn and sold as bred or just sell them as slaughter cows. Is there much of a price difference?

 

[J&D Cattle]

I would definitely have them preg checked if I thought they were bred. You could be leaving a couplel hundred on the table if they are just weighed.

 

[Ojp6]

As bad as kill cows have been selling I would preg them. If they bring a couple bids over kill price it should more than pay for the test. I see it as a small investment that could have a large return if the right guy wants your cows.

 

[cattle60]

Agree, Pregging is better than possibly losing by selling a pregnant for kill prices.

 

[Son of Butch]

I have a few cows that I am going to get rid of in the next month. They are older cows....
Is there much of a price difference?

Depends on the sale and how much extra commission your sales barn charges for selling bred cattle over slaughter cows.
My conservative estimate is you'll net $50 hd extra on any that are pg.
You may even get an extra slaughter bid if any of the beef cows are announced as open.
Slaughter buyers hate it when dressing % is lower than they estimated just because they bought an older cow in good condition
they expected to be open and it turns out her extra weight was 'gut fill' pounds of hidden maternity weight.

 

[js1234]

I have a few cows that I am going to get rid of in the next month. They are older cows....
Is there much of a price difference?

Depends on the sale and how much extra commission your sales barn charges for selling bred cattle over slaughter cows.
My conservative estimate is you'll net $50 hd extra on any that are pg.
You may even get an extra slaughter bid if any of the beef cows are announced as open.
Slaughter buyers hate it when dressing % is lower than they estimated just because they bought an older cow in good condition
they expected to be open and it turns out her extra weight was 'gut fill' pounds of hidden maternity weight.

Both very accurate points.