To keep or sell, thats the question

[Simmental7]

Should a guy go ahead and sell his calves now, or wait to after the first of the year. I'm curious to see what you guys think about what the market is going to do? Steady out or get higher or drop

 

[kenny thomas]

I am holding until mid January but read my signature below.

 

[Aaron]

The way I look at it each year is look at the best calf in the bunch, and imagine it turning up dead one morning.

Now if you figure in the value loss of the dead calf, plus all the feed you are going to put into the rest of them over the winter, are you going to make enough to cover, plus make a profit in the spring? If so, keep them. If not, sell 'em.

Example, if you have 10 good steer calves and one drops dead in the winter, the remaining 9 are going to have to be worth 2000-3000 dollars more in the spring just to break even.

Or, you can do what most around here do and look at your wallet. If it's empty, time to sell calves.

 

[denvermartinfarms]

I don't think your going to feel bad if you sell now, but I agree with Kenny, mid January may be a little higher, I just don't think there going to be alot higher.

 

[js1234]

I really like the mid January market.

 

[Tim/South]

This time of year I consider whether I would be better showing the income this year or next.
As far as market goes, in our area the second week in December is usually good. The market is not a usual one, nor has this been a usual year. Everyone I know has made money selling the last few months.

 

[chippie]

You don't have your location listed. I would think where you live would have an impact as to whether to hold them over or not.
How much is it going to cost you to maintain them over the winter months?

 

[M5farm]

In my area prices are down a little right before end of year and in January they tick up a little. I sold a few this week and was pleased with what they brought. They were bigger than the group I will have ready in February and the feed cost to carry for 2 more months I made more on them now that I would in Feb. even if the prices are higher. everyone has their own system I wean and sell when they reach 5wt. this works for me with because I have a small herd and if I keep grass/hay in front of the cow/calf and she pushing the milk to them I have less input in the calves and more return at the end of the day.

 

[snake67]

Or, you can do what most around here do and look at your wallet. If it's empty, time to sell calves.

IF it's empty?

You mean you actually have money in there sometimes?

You're doing far better than me

Bez

 

[Beef Man]

When do you normaley market your calves?? I'm of the beleif that most generally you do things about the same time, year in and year out you'll stay even with the game. This is a tuf year to try to outguess a lot of markets as who know's what will happen next in our national politics. We sold our steer calves on Superior in Aug and were happy with $1.53 at 825 for mid Jan delivery, looks like this AM they would bring $1,58-$1.60. Really can't say we lost that money as we did'nt have it in the first place. Last year we still owned the steer calves into Jan and had a diffucult time marketing them. They did pretty well but wiuld have grossed more had they been on the summer video. Market them as you want and it'll all work out!!!

 

[bigbull338]

ok we are right in the middle of christmas holidays.so that means that the sale barn #s will be low.plus the fact that alot of the sale barns take off 2 or 3 wks.an that will make the prices a bit shakey.so if it was me id wait till after the 1st week in jan.because the buyers will have alot of orders for calves an cows.

 

[Aaron]

Or, you can do what most around here do and look at your wallet. If it's empty, time to sell calves.

IF it's empty?

You mean you actually have money in there sometimes?

You're doing far better than me

Bez

Nope, I am talking about other guys. I'm just as poor as you are. I think it's a Hereford thing.

 

[Simmental7]

You don't have your location listed. I would think where you live would have an impact as to whether to hold them over or not.
How much is it going to cost you to maintain them over the winter months?

If this helps any... I live in southeast Kansas, 15 miles west of Fort Scott

 

[denvermartinfarms]

You don't have your location listed. I would think where you live would have an impact as to whether to hold them over or not.
How much is it going to cost you to maintain them over the winter months?

If this helps any... I live in southeast Kansas, 15 miles west of Fort Scott

Either this next week, or wait until January.

 

[Stocker Steve]

Or, you can do what most around here do and look at your wallet. If it's empty, time to sell calves.

What if your wallet is almost always empty?

 

[Stocker Steve]

Should a guy go ahead and sell his calves now, or wait to after the first of the year.

I am buying calves - - so you should bring them to a sales barn near me right now !
Ideally bring them in before a winter storm.
We have a nice bit o snow this week and I was able to get a trailer of 3 wts for $173/cwt..

 

[Jacob]

I was talking to an old farmer the other day and he said the 2nd week of December is one of the highest all year. I'm selling some culls this week and hope he was right.

 

[denvermartinfarms]

I was talking to an old farmer the other day and he said the 2nd week of December is one of the highest all year. I'm selling some culls this week and hope he was right.

I've seen that go both ways, you'll probably not see a big difference in the cull market now or in 3 weeks.

 

[bigbull338]

we wont sell cattle in dec because around here thats when the prices back off till mid jan.we always try to sell in oct or nov.we have some we will sell after jan.

 

[TexasBred]

we wont sell cattle in dec because around here thats when the prices back off till mid jan.we always try to sell in oct or nov.we have some we will sell after jan.

Just the opposite here. Lots of folks need to buy cattle before year end just for tax purposes. Not to mention that prices are already extremely "nice". :nod: