Sold some

[Travlr]

That's cool. What you spend your time thinking about has exactly zero impact on my life.

Just offering advice to those willing to read.

I think a lot of people are giving advice. Not everyone is hearing it.

 

[Heronfish]

I think a lot of people are giving advice. Not everyone is hearing it.

That's cool. Can't force folks to listen.

What this thread should illustrate to all, is that simply raising a bigger calf does not guarantee a bigger cheque or more profit. Where, when and how you sell them makes all the difference.

 

[Brute 23]

That's cool. What you spend your time thinking about has exactly zero impact on my life.

Just offering advice to those willing to read.

You make good points and as a general rule I agree. We should not get so focused on the past or predicting the future that we miss the present.

... but indulge us in our ramblings of the past and the entertainment of predicting the future.

 

[Travlr]

That's cool. Can't force folks to listen.

Especially when you are so focused on giving advice that you entirely miss the fact that you are being given advice.

How's that rear view mirror working for you?

 

[elkwc]

That's cool. What you spend your time thinking about has exactly zero impact on my life.

Just offering advice to those willing to read.

Your advice and $2.50 may buy you a cup of coffee. IMO that is all it is worth. I will continue to listen to those who have been in the business for years.

 

[Heronfish]

Your advice and $2.50 may buy you a cup of coffee. IMO that is all it is worth. I will continue to listen to those who have been in the business for years.

What part exactly do you disagree with?


Your current way of thinking caused you to add weight to your calves at a loss. So you're out the feed and the cash. If thats the type of thinking that works for you, rock on.

 

[Silver]

This is starting to sound like a Pharo Cattle co. tire pumping session

 

[kenny thomas]

I'd like to be a fly on the wall when the buyers get together with their employers to talk about what they'll pay and why.
It makes no sense to me that you'll pay more for a lighter calf when you're going to be paying for the feed to get the lighter calf to the higher weight on the way to 1400 pounds.
Someone please explain that logic...

1 or 2 months difference on when they will finish could make a big difference in buying and selling prices. Sometimes they buy figuring on when the calf will finish. Or 1 month in the LRP time. Not saying thats the different in this case but sometimes it is.

 

[kenny thomas]

I just sold 2 weaned twin heifers for $3.16 @ 403 lbs each

That cow paid her way at almost $2500 this year even if the weight wasn't very high.

 

[gcreekrch]

Happens lots that folks retain ownership to do things "right" and not get paid for the effort. "Right" isn't always good for all concerned but it sure works for the feedlots.

 

[Heronfish]

Happens lots that folks retain ownership to do things "right" and not get paid for the effort. "Right" isn't always good for all concerned but it sure works for the feedlots.

Many, many, many folks have gone broke doing things "right". In this context, right doesn't mean correct.

The right thing was to grow the biggest calf possible. The correct thing was to sell the smaller calf and make more money and save grass.

 

[Travlr]

Many, many, many folks have gone broke doing things "right". In this context, right doesn't mean correct.

The right thing was to grow the biggest calf possible. The correct thing was to sell the smaller calf and make more money and save grass.

And that's a good assessment of the end result, but how can you anticipate that situation before you go to market?

 

[kenny thomas]

Notice, elkwc said these were calves off the cow. Is he supposed to try to grow smaller calves to weaning?

 

[Heronfish]

And that's a good assessment of the end result, but how can you anticipate that situation before you go to market?

Well, what happened the week before? And what was happening at other auction marts that week?
That's the best available data we ever have. It's about all you've got to go off of.

 

[Rmc]

Especially when you are so focused on giving advice that you entirely miss the fact that you are being given advice.

How's that rear view mirror working for you?

This coming from someone who has ran straight into the wall, and ran into the back of a semi at full speed , because they are so focused on personal attacks , if that isn't the definition of ironic I don't know what is !
Anyone else notice the trend when anyone disagrees with Travl rather then discuss or debate the topic , he turns to mud slinging and personal attacks to distract from the topic at hand !

 

[Dave]

Well, what happened the week before? And what was happening at other auction marts that week?
That's the best available data we ever have. It's about all you've got to go off of.

True, but even that is a crap shoot. A month ago I commented here on how 600 lb heifers were only bringing about $17 a head more than 500 lb heifers. This last week bigger cattle brought more. Using some fuzzy math I came up with 600lb heifers coming in $133 more dollars in the pocket than 500lb heifers.

 

[Heronfish]

True, but even that is a crap shoot. A month ago I commented here on how 600 lb heifers were only bringing about $17 a head more than 500 lb heifers. This last week bigger cattle brought more. Using some fuzzy math I came up with 600lb heifers coming in $133 more dollars in the pocket than 500lb heifers.

Nothing is perfect, but its all we have to go with.
One can appreciate the trends and "rules" in selling calves.
Rules being that you have to provide the type of cattle your market wants and dehorning and castrating always pays off.
Trends develop over years and are local.

I hope I'm interpreting your correctly.
For your rough example, you gained $133 dollars for 100 pounds of gain. Now it's up to your production to whether or not that was worth it

 

[kenny thomas]

I agree that no matter whether its the top or the bottom of the price cycle dehorning and castrating pays. Here right now especially, weaning and vaccinated pays also.
A couple members make a decent profit dehorning, castrating, vaccinating and weaning some calves. Larger groups of weaned and worked calves can bring a lot more.

 

[elkwc]

What part exactly do you disagree with?


Your current way of thinking caused you to add weight to your calves at a loss. So you're out the feed and the cash. If thats the type of thinking that works for you, rock on.

I didn't add weight at a loss. They weighed what they did on their mothers. Only weaned a few and still paid for the feed I put in them. I watch current conditions and go from there. In a normal year our steers weigh 700 lb at weaning off of mothers milk and grass.

 

[Dave]

I hope I'm interpreting your correctly.
For your rough example, you gained $133 dollars for 100 pounds of gain. Now it's up to your production to whether or not that was worth it

Exactly. I even considered putting a pencil to could you have bought those low selling 600lb heifers a month ago and turned them for a profit. If it cost you more than $133 to add 100 pounds you should sell out now while prices are high.