Stockers Don’t Pencil

[Lucky]

Double post

 

[rocfarm]

A spread of $4.00 to 5.25 dont especially mean an average or 4.6250. There might have been 50 heifers bringing 4.00 and only 1 at 5.25.
But thats way higher than we see here.

They don’t post online videos so I can’t verify that. I might go in November and check it out.

 

[Brute 23]

They don't post online videos so I can't verify that. I might go in November and check it out.

Their report doesn't specifically say but a lot of reports list it as Avg... High, not Low... High.

I won't go buy calves but I will put that extra $500 on calves I already own.

 

[rocfarm]

I won't go buy calves but I will put that extra $500 on calves I already own.

Already doing that… but we got 3 inches in August and already 1.75 in September.

I was short on cattle before the 13 inches we got in July. Figured I’d buy some more heifers, add some pounds, and maybe even keep a few for breeders based on how well they turned out next fall.

But it really looks like it wont pencil.

When you were in Waco did you visit the auction in West?

 

[Brute 23]

Already doing that… but we got 3 inches in August and already 1.75 in September.

I was short on cattle before the 13 inches we got in July. Figured I'd buy some more heifers, add some pounds, and maybe even keep a few for breeders based on how well they turned out next fall.

But it really looks like it wont pencil.

When you were in Waco did you visit the auction in West?

You are late to the game on buying heifers. Every report talks about the short supply coming to auction.

We were dove hunting south of Waco. I have hauled to West before but it's been a long time. I use to work in Elm Mott and West. My son works there now and hauls to West some times.

 

[Dave]

Another issue on making this decision is using the results from one day at one sale barn. I just ran the numbers from La Grande the day following the Vale sale I used. At La Grande the light calves sold a lot higher and the 750 lb feeders were a lot cheaper. But in both cases I wasn't sitting there with an eye on the cattle and seeing who was buying. Poorer quality cattle and fewer buyers will obviously cause cattle to sell cheaper. People with deep pockets who are there just on one day to buy will drive the price up. Also not all sale yard reports have the same level of trust worthy.

 

[Dave]

double post

 

[rocfarm]

Another issue on making this decision is using the results from one day at one sale barn. I just ran the numbers from La Grande the day following the Vale sale I used. At La Grande the light calves sold a lot higher and the 750 lb feeders were a lot cheaper. But in both cases I wasn't sitting there with an eye on the cattle and seeing who was buying. Poorer quality cattle and fewer buyers will obviously cause cattle to sell cheaper. People with deep pockets who are there just on one day to buy will drive the price up. Also not all sale yard reports have the same level of trust worthy.

According to the Feeder Flash guy, things just went limit down.

Maybe the numbers, even the right numbers, will look different in a few months.

Watching with interest. If I get rain in September and October and prices drop a bit, I think I might go for it.

 

[crossbreed]

Where are you seeing 450 heifers average 462.50? I can average them here for 3.80 im pretty sure.

 

[kenny thomas]

Yes there are heifers that high but averaging them out makes a difference. 100 heifers from $4.00 to $5.00 might average 4.14, not 4.50.

 

[Brute 23]

According to the Feeder Flash guy, things just went limit down.

Maybe the numbers, even the right numbers, will look different in a few months.

Watching with interest. If I get rain in September and October and prices drop a bit, I think I might go for it.

Did you hear the part about plainer cattle taking the hit first and the bawling calves topped that one sale over weaned calves because their quality so good.

Quality always sells.

 

[rocfarm]

Did you hear the part about plainer cattle taking the hit first and the bawling calves topped that one sale over weaned calves because their quality so good.

Quality always sells.

That's why I figured on buying heifers in the middle of the #1 range at the auction. Figured the movement in price is probably less severe.

But on the other side of that coin, I bet we have good prices next summer and into the fall. If prices dip a lot in the next few months, those lower quality cattle might pay more.

Got everyone on board with buying some stockers just need more rain and a little market opportunity.

 

[rocfarm]

In Gatesville. And Comanche, too, really.

 

[rocfarm]

Did you hear the part about plainer cattle taking the hit first and the bawling calves topped that one sale over weaned calves because their quality so good.

Quality always sells.

And those bawling calves, were they vaccinated :)?

 

[rocfarm]

Another issue on making this decision is using the results from one day at one sale barn. I just ran the numbers from La Grande the day following the Vale sale I used. At La Grande the light calves sold a lot higher and the 750 lb feeders were a lot cheaper. But in both cases I wasn't sitting there with an eye on the cattle and seeing who was buying. Poorer quality cattle and fewer buyers will obviously cause cattle to sell cheaper. People with deep pockets who are there just on one day to buy will drive the price up. Also not all sale yard reports have the same level of trust worthy.

I get that. I was supposed to sell my calves this year on July 9. Central Texas got a 12 inch rain the week before. I started to load my cattle up, but then thought better of it. I figured the feed lots would not want to bring cattle into muddy conditions that would likely make them sick. Also figured some ranches wouldn’t be able to get their cattle to market. Decided to hold off a week.

When I walked into the sale barn on the 16th, I got really excited. It was packed. I thought there were some northern buyers there as well, but couldn’t tell.

The bidding was excellent for all classes.

Learned a bit about how to handle things.

 

[rocfarm]

Yes there are heifers that high but averaging them out makes a difference. 100 heifers from $4.00 to $5.00 might average 4.14, not 4.50.

Would have to be at the sale to do that. Again, wish they posted videos.

 

[kenny thomas]

Would have to be at the sale to do that. Again, wish they posted videos.

I go to the sale at the very least 1 day a week. You cannot sit through a sale and average them out. And there is a big difference in price from a 400lb heifer to a 500lb heifer.

 

[Brute 23]

And those bawling calves, were they vaccinated :)?

Think he said 1 round.

 

[BC]

Would have to be at the sale to do that. Again, wish they posted videos.

You really need to go and sit through a sale or two to watch what class and weights of cattle bring. You cannot get that off of a report that has 100 lb. weight spread. You need to use your eyes to find the sweet spot in a market.

 

[Dave]

I was at the sale yesterday and wrote numbers down. We don't get very many of light calves. A person has to look close at them. Are they just late born calves or are they dinks. The fist two were ones they split in the ring off 1,450 lb cows.
2 head weighing 480 for 382.5
3 head at 475 for 435
2 at 345 lbs for 435 Short wean 2x shots
at 475 for 365
3 head at 505 for 380
3 head at 405 for 450 sisters of the 3 before them
3 head at 418 for 425
495 for 360

There was 5 head of obvious correntie cross black heifers. They cut one thin one out. There was 4 weighing 505 sold for 250. And the thin one weighed 440 sold for 130