That is why I stated you need too see the big picture. Or the whole picture. When you focus on one thing then something else happens. Those that focus on one trait in their breeding have had other issues arise. The same with marketing. I feel you need too look at all options. Not just sell at 500 lbs because it worked last year.
Sold some
- Thread starter elkwc
- Start date
By your math, it cost you no extra resources to get that extra 100 pounds? That calf didn't eat a blade of grass or drink any milk.
You sir have amazing cows.
First if we had sold them at 500 lbs the price in ten this area wasn't near as high as it is today. We gained at least $250.00 by keeping them. We had a good summer and have extra grass. So no extra cost there. Didn't feed any hay. Our cattle are growthy. Two years ago in a severe drought we sold 4 1/2 - 5 month old calves that weighed over 500. lbs. we adapt to what each year brings. When you look at what you gained you have too consider the price when they weighed 500 not the price for a 500 lb calf today. When these calves weighed 5-600 lbs there was little demand here as there wasn5much hope for wheat pasture. It has changed now.Again I look at the whole picture.
chevytaHOE5674
Well-known member
There is a cost associated with that "extra grass". Growing grass isn't free.
mwj
Well-known member
Does everybody have a sure fire plan to profit from the extra grass from selling those 5 wt. calves? Once again it is easy on paper.
At this time of year if we don't harvest it by the cattle it will be lost. We allowed for it when we bred the cows. Cost has been figured in. It is like the stripped cotton fields we graze. The farmer lets us graze it as he will plow it under if we don't.
Silver
Well-known member
Best way I have found for me to make money from hay or grass is to run it through a cow.
That is the same for us.
Travlr
Well-known member
Look, I'm not trying to start an argument, but let's figure it out.
The cow, land, property taxes, existing grass, water, management, vaccines, fences, etc. are all fixed costs aren't they? Meaning that none of the expenses change over time. These expenses all remain static.
Does the cow eat to make the milk the calf consumes? Sure. Is there an increase in the amount she eats? Of course. But the grass is there to eat and if the cow doesn't eat it then what happens to it? You can stockpile grass, and is there a benefit for later? Maybe if you need it. If it isn't needed, then what? Does it become a carbon sink as it molders into the soil? How do you quantify these things?
Maybe it could be argued that the calves going to the auction in a single trailer at one time might save enough on labor, fuel, and wear and tear on equipment that it actually saves money to take a hit on the price of a calf.
So how does that all play out in dollars and sense? (yeah, I meant to spell it sense) I've laid out the way I run the numbers. How do you see it? What have I missed?
Travlr
Well-known member
There's also a cost if the extra grass is never used.
You haven't missed anything.
The regenerative folks would tell you grass left uneaten is never wasted. But that's a different story.
Everything put together, it did cost money to get them to 600 plus pounds. That's all.
Once one acknowledges that, it's all good
Interesting some fault you for growing bigger calves on grass. Unfortunate the market that week was low on heavier calves. It looks like it was unfortunate for us the futures crapped last week and cost up $10 a hundred on the yearlings we contracted. I am reading they are back up today. Oh well, we made a profit and less tax money to worry about.
One of my old mentors put it a little more crudely. He claimed grass was similar to an e#$%tion, if not used while there, the opportunity was lost.
Travlr
Well-known member
Well again... saying it doesn't make it so. What extra savings are there in saving grass instead of growing calf? What do the regenerative folks say?
Tell us how much the uneaten grass costs and then weigh that against making two trips to the sale barn instead of one.
Is there any savings in selling calves at higher weights for less per pound? I've speculated on the transportation cost, but are there others?
chevytaHOE5674
Well-known member
There is. There's also can be a benefit to the soil if the grass isn't used. How do view long term soil building?
We all manage our operations differently but the goal of each of us is the most return per acre. I make some decisions that work as planned and some don't.
We stock at a lower rate than many. In wet years we have extra grass. In drought years we are still able to have enough for the cows. We do wean early sometimes. This year we have extra grass. More than we will need for the cows. We have 3 options. Graze it, leave it to decompose or burn it. Each method has pros and cons. I was always taught by top cattle men and women the cheapest gain you can put on a calf is on Mother's milk and grass. I respect those who have different opinions but would appreciate it if they respected mine. They have no idea what my cost is.
This just got stupid, even for me.
Travlr
Well-known member
Absolutely. How do we quantify it? I'm all for figuring out the trade-off if we can do it.
But if we can't, then I'd go for gains on a calf that's going to be sold for money.
If I am understanding this correctly yall want me to early wean... to save grass... to build soil... to grow more grass... I don't need because I'm weaning early for smaller calves...
