rockridgecattle
Well-known member
So the other night hubby decided nothing close enough to warrant a night check. We had hiefers bagging but it was his decision. I tried to talk him out of it but to no avail. Any ways in the morning early he checked on what few we had left. Well a hiefer has calved, way to big and the sack was over the face. He was pretty bummed. It took all i had not to say those 4 nasty words.
Any way when he came in he said that full night sleep cost him $500.00. It got me to thinking what the actual cost was.
First off here where we are Manitoba Ag costed the upkeep of a cow at $480.00 (remember this is from memory could be a few dollars up or down). This cost did not include depreciation of machinery, loan interest or paying yourself a wage.
As well, we operate on a cash basis. So the first calf that gets sold will not cover the previous year's expense, but it will cover the up and coming year's expense to keep that cow.
So the cost of a home grown hiefer raised to when she gives birth
Loss of selling the calf at weaning ------------------------------$500.00
Cost to keep that calf in our feedlot----------------------------$250.00
Cost to feed cow in the winter to her second year of age---$480.00
Cost of vaccinations (three rounds to pre breeding
including ivermec, all shots, scour guard, Preg check---------$ 30.00
Total cost before the first calf is shipped-----------------------$1260.00
Now this cost does include minor aliment treatments but if there is a c section, add that to the cost. As well if the hiefer or cow looses her first calf add another $980.00 to the loss to cover the no sale of the calf and the winter feed again.
When it costs $480.00 to keep a cow, and you get $500.00 to $550.00 for the calf, how do you recoup the cost of raising or buying a bred hiefer at $1100.00. In a cow's 10 or so years on the farm give or take a few, the profit will never cover the inital cost.
At what point does it become profitable to raise or buy hiefers in this volitile market.
It does not pay to keep a cow who lost her calf in hopes she breeds back next year. That cost will never be recouped.
I think i am becoming disillusioned (sp) with the life style i chose. Or maybe i am over thinking and just tired cause of the lack of sleep from calving, losing a calf and working off farm and the flooding....again. What ever it is, we, hubby and i, need to figure where we can cut more, and better yet prioritize what is important.
Any way when he came in he said that full night sleep cost him $500.00. It got me to thinking what the actual cost was.
First off here where we are Manitoba Ag costed the upkeep of a cow at $480.00 (remember this is from memory could be a few dollars up or down). This cost did not include depreciation of machinery, loan interest or paying yourself a wage.
As well, we operate on a cash basis. So the first calf that gets sold will not cover the previous year's expense, but it will cover the up and coming year's expense to keep that cow.
So the cost of a home grown hiefer raised to when she gives birth
Loss of selling the calf at weaning ------------------------------$500.00
Cost to keep that calf in our feedlot----------------------------$250.00
Cost to feed cow in the winter to her second year of age---$480.00
Cost of vaccinations (three rounds to pre breeding
including ivermec, all shots, scour guard, Preg check---------$ 30.00
Total cost before the first calf is shipped-----------------------$1260.00
Now this cost does include minor aliment treatments but if there is a c section, add that to the cost. As well if the hiefer or cow looses her first calf add another $980.00 to the loss to cover the no sale of the calf and the winter feed again.
When it costs $480.00 to keep a cow, and you get $500.00 to $550.00 for the calf, how do you recoup the cost of raising or buying a bred hiefer at $1100.00. In a cow's 10 or so years on the farm give or take a few, the profit will never cover the inital cost.
At what point does it become profitable to raise or buy hiefers in this volitile market.
It does not pay to keep a cow who lost her calf in hopes she breeds back next year. That cost will never be recouped.
I think i am becoming disillusioned (sp) with the life style i chose. Or maybe i am over thinking and just tired cause of the lack of sleep from calving, losing a calf and working off farm and the flooding....again. What ever it is, we, hubby and i, need to figure where we can cut more, and better yet prioritize what is important.
