Timing Question

[jehosofat]

I'm fixing to cull some pretty decent cows. They are all bred, and have calves on them. Started calving in mid September, turned the bulls in Nov 15th and Dec 1st. Would you sell them as 3 in 1's, or sell the calves and sell the cows as bred? Grass is just starting to pop here. I'm gonna roll them one way or another, holding calves over is not an option.

 

[JMJ Farms]

Around here, for whatever reason, the bred cows will almost bring what the pairs bring, sometimes more. Only thing I can figure is that people worry about the calves getting sick. I don’t know if the sale barn will do it, but I’d ask..... The best way would be for them to weigh the calf. Run him in the ring. Then weigh the cow and run her in the ring. Sell them as split. Then open the bid if anyone wants to pay more for the 3 in 1 than they sold for as a split. The advantage is that the buyer, even if he doesn’t want the 3 in 1, gets to see what kind of calf she raises. Provided they have good calves on them.

 

[Dave]

Here they would sell better as 3 n 1. The cows are only 3 months bred at best. Short bred cows generally get their heads cut off. But that is here. It may be different where you are.

 

[1982vett]

Yep, not a strong market for 2-3-4 month breads especially for middle aged and older cows. Does seem to help if a good stout calf comes in with the cow and then split off rather than a just sending the cow in. Had some young short bred come through the ring last week that did pretty good since it’s greening up around here but some of the older cows barely escaped the slaughter house.

 

[jehosofat]

Be mindful, that in this part of the world, fall calving for the good operations is dominant.

 

[bird dog]

If the calves are good, run them through with the cows. They buyers will assume the cows are bred back the same way and the good calf proves they can get it on the ground and raised up.