Wagyu X Calves

[acefire]

The fall of 2022 there was about 160 weaned calves in my hay meadows. 80 of them were out of my one and done program. Which means they out of a wide variety of beef cows bred to unknown beef bulls. 20 or 30 were late calves from B's herd which made them mostly out of Angus cows bred to Charolais bulls. The remaining calves were F1 Wagyu crosses from B's commercial heifers. Calves mostly February/March born. Teh one and done calves were weaned in mid August. The Wagyu cross calves were weaned a month later. The beef calves had 75-100 pounds on the Wagyu calves. And those Wagyu calves had been on the cows a month longer. I remember an Angus heifer got sick. After doctoring her I did a closer inspection of the herd. I told B that about half the Wagyu calves looked to need doctoring. His reply was, "it is an acquired taste". None of the Wagyu calves actually got sick but they sure looked like death warmed over.

Are these Wagyu the Black or Red? I think there is a big difference.

 

[rocfarm]

Are these Wagyu the Black or Red? I think there is a big difference.

Actually Dave, I wonder if the bull I ended up with isn't a cross with some Akaushi in him. He sure looks like he has some of that blood. Raised him off a cheap sale barn cow, so no idea what he really is.

But, update:

I talked to the guy again. He says I have to pay some to rent a black Wagyu bull, but he'll split the cost. I'll get top price that the same weight calves are bringing at an average of three local auctions. Caveat is those wagyu calves wean at about 450lbs, whereas mine had a 205 weight of about 535 to 550 and I sold at 675lbs, and it did sell as a number 1. Still have lots of questions, but I'll ask him those questions next spring.

But I like the idea of having smaller calves, as my original question on this site was about how to run a herd with unassisted calving. And I like the idea of only having a bull on my place 3 months each year. Means I could run one more cow, which should pay for the bull rental, I'd think.

However, the drought got me and I don't want to buy expensive replacements right now, so I told him we'd shoot for the fall of 2025 to start, as I should be able to get back to 8 to 10 breedable cows by then, without outlaying too much cash (we'll see how this year's and next year's calf crop goes-I'll probably trade steers and my red bull for heifers at auction).


I think the most risky thing about this deal is the calf marketing. From what folks have said, if the buyers back out, I'll get hammered at a sale barn—they'll fetch Corrientes prices, basically. So I'm going to ask lots of questions about that.

Also, I realized this year that, if you have lots of extra grass, it can make perfect financial sense to let your steers continue to grow. If prices don't drop, you basically get 15 to 22% return on your money over 6 months if there are no/very low feed costs. So I'll have to ask about whether or not the marketing date is set or I have flexibility on that aspect.

 

[Warren Allison]

I think the most risky thing about this deal is the calf marketing. From what folks have said, if the buyers back out, I'll get hammered at a sale barn—they'll fetch Corrientes prices, basically. So I'm going to ask lots of questions about that.

I dunno,@rocfarm . Have you seen Corriente cow and heifer prices lately? I just sold 75 pair and 60 heavy breds to an Akuashi breeder. He was telling me about their program that is like that, only they add 2% ( I think) maybe 5% to the top selling price that day. ( Or he night have said .20-,50/lb bonus ). And if you are a member of the association, and pay into that program, and use the approved bulls, then calves from any kind of cow are eligible. That is why he is buying all the solid colored Corr cows he can find. Dude offered me $2500 for the pairs...which is the going rate for Corr cows with beef calves bred back to beef bulls....AND for the breds!! So, they must figure this market is gonna be here a while, to spend that much money on them.

 

[rocfarm]

Hope you are right. But, I still don't know if corriente cross calves in Texas are worth anything. I kept back the heifer off that corriente I have, and don't know with confidence what the market here would pay. That corriente I have bred back, no problem, though, even though she carried that calf trough a drought and nursed through the winter.

But I hope you are right. If we finalize an agreement I'll describe it here so other people can either make a buck or avoid my mistakes.

Just glad I got all my cattle and equipment/tool money back from this up market. Didn't expect to be in the black after one calf crop and a drought. Starting to think the cows might even pay for some equipment in the future, which would be nice. Still not doing things the 'safe' way.

I dunno,@rocfarm . Have you seen Corriente cow and heifer prices lately? I just sold 75 pair and 60 heavy breds to an Akuashi breeder. He was telling me about their program that is like that, only they add 2% ( I think) maybe 5% to the top selling price that day. ( Or he night have said .20-,50/lb bonus ). And if you are a member of the association, and pay into that program, and use the approved bulls, then calves from any kind of cow are eligible. That is why he is buying all the solid colored Corr cows he can find. Dude offered me $2500 for the pairs...which is the going rate for Corr cows with beef calves bred back to beef bulls....AND for the breds!! So, they must figure this market is gonna be here a while, to spend that much money on them.