Slaughter cows and bulls.

[Bob Kinford]

It just seems crazy to me to sell them in their prime like that. It's all perspective and goals I reckon.

My argument against it is the value all depends on how you market them. A fat, dry ten year old cow is worth the same amount as a fat, dry five year old cow when you sell them across the rail.

 

[1982vett]

With todays prices, you ain't selling anything at a loss thus you pay capitol gains to exchange that 5 year old for something else.

Those 10 year old gals are breaking even now….

 

[Travlr]

Those 10 year old gals are breaking even now….

That's why I've always preferred them. Get two or three calves and sell them for what you paid for them.

 

[Brute 23]

My argument against it is the value all depends on how you market them. A fat, dry ten year old cow is worth the same amount as a fat, dry five year old cow when you sell them across the rail.

Yep and you left 5+ calves on the table which helps your actual numbers, on that cow's value, to your business.

 

[Brute 23]

I have gotten on my soap box before about salvage value. For easy math, when calves are running around a thousand dollars I can retain a heifer to breeding time for around $1500ish dollars. My cost to age them is about the same, its the heifer at weaning time value that changes so much. I can run those cows to 10 or 12 years old and sell them in good flesh, bred, for on avg $1250. There is a good market through the ring for Brahman cross cows in good flesh, bred, that can give some one a couple more calves and they can dump. That's good numbers for me because if she costs me $250, she gives me 10 calves, that's about $25 per calf. Going to what Kenny talks about, the numbers get out of wack right now because calf prices are so high and 10yr old cow prices really haven't changed much. It will cycle down eventually again. Obviously when we are in a down cycle and calves are $750 or $800, and if you catch the cycle right to dump 10 years olds, you can easily break even, or maybe even be up a little. That really helps the numbers.

I would much rather focus on that, than writing off depreciation.