What am I missing?

[Mr. Greenjeans]

Here is the proposal: An acquaintance is asking if I would consider using one of their low bw Piedmontese bulls on my commercial Angus/Brangus herd. They market lean Piedmontese-cross beef through their cafe and organic beef ranch. However, they don't have enough acreage to run a cow & calf operation in addition to feeding out their steers.

I run a cow/calf operation and simply sell across the scales at the local auction. From my considerations, at worst I will be selling a calf across the scales with full hybrid vigor -- at best I will be selling to the cafe owner at a small premium per pound. I run about 17 commercial cows. My oldest cow is 6 years and the youngest are bred heifers. All F1 offspring will be sold. We also run registered seedstock but for this purpose, consider only my commercial herd as my sole focus for making the most money per cow.

Is this a trend we will see more smaller ranchers considering?
What are the negative considerations for this endeavor?

Piedmontese Pros:

Lean flavorful beef, low cholesterol, fine boned, high dressing percentages


Piedmontese breed example

Some of my cattle

Regards,

Mr. Greenjeans

 

[Frankie]

If you can get them to guarantee you a certain price for everything you produce, it sounds like a good opportunity. But if you're going to be selling double muscled calves at your local auction, you might not be happy. What you describe as lean flavorful, low cholesterol beef is another way to say they don't marble. Quality grade is based on marbling.

 

[3waycross]

Sounds like a pretty darn good deal. The only guarantee you really need is that she will buy all the offspring at market price, so you don't get banged at the sale barn, a premium should be expected for going along with the plan , but I am guessing there will also be a premium of more pounds per calf weaned based on the heterosis factor alone. I am seeing a lot more grassfed and lean beef being marketed around where I live all the time.

 

[Mr. Greenjeans]

Good thoughts.

I am also concerned about sale barn deductions for the double muscling.

On average, Limousin or Charolais might outperform across the scales better than a "specialty" arrangement using Piedmontese. It may still be too early in the game in today's market for a non-traditional arrangement.

 

[dun]

Check out these results people say a cross will not marble, Well it takes a pretty good carcass to grade yg1.

You might want to look at the difference between yeild grade and quality grade.

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

Mr. green Jeans if you know these folks well enough for them to ask you to use there bulls to produce calves for them whats the problem? Selling calves to them You will not have any commison to pay the sale barn that is a premium right there. Plus the bigger heavier calves. As long as you think your cows will have their bulls calves without any trouble don't see where you can go wrong. You are looking a gift horse in the mouth.

 

[KMacGinley]

That answers the question of who WUD3 was in his previous identity on here.

 

[Frankie]

Good thoughts.

I am also concerned about sale barn deductions for the double muscling.

On average, Limousin or Charolais might outperform across the scales better than a "specialty" arrangement using Piedmontese. It may still be too early in the game in today's market for a non-traditional arrangement.

Are they open to negotiating? If they'd agree to buy your entire calf crop at better than you'd get at the sale barn, but maybe not as much as they'd pay for just the few they want, it might work out for you and offer them a reliable source of beef.

 

[alftn]

If you have no calving problems, small birth weights, thus live calves...I think it is a win win for you..You can always feed them out your self and sale beef to the town folks...

 

[Brandonm22]

Check out these results people say a cross will not marble, Well it takes a pretty good carcass to grade yg1. How many hundred angus cross will it take to get 45 to average yg1?

http://www.piedmontese-napa.com/Pieds%2 ... de%201.htm

"IF" I read those abbreveations correctly (C means Choice, Se means Select, and ST means standard??) only 10 out of 45 head graded choice and a bunch of them didn't grade select. You sure had better be grading on a lean meat grid for that too pay.

 

[CKC1586]

Here is the proposal: An acquaintance is asking if I would consider using one of their low bw Piedmontese bulls on my commercial Angus/Brangus herd. They market lean Piedmontese-cross beef through their cafe and organic beef ranch. However, they don't have enough acreage to run a cow & calf operation in addition to feeding out their steers.

I run a cow/calf operation and simply sell across the scales at the local auction. From my considerations, at worst I will be selling a calf across the scales with full hybrid vigor -- at best I will be selling to the cafe owner at a small premium per pound. I run about 17 commercial cows. My oldest cow is 6 years and the youngest are bred heifers. All F1 offspring will be sold. We also run registered seedstock but for this purpose, consider only my commercial herd as my sole focus for making the most money per cow.

Is this a trend we will see more smaller ranchers considering?
What are the negative considerations for this endeavor?

Piedmontese Pros:

Lean flavorful beef, low cholesterol, fine boned, high dressing percentages


Piedmontese breed example

Some of my cattle

Regards,

Mr. Greenjeans

This sounds like a good offer. There is a lot of information out there but I always like to talk to people that have been there and done that. You may want to spend some time talking to your friend and ask to speak to some of his customers if you have concerns about marketing the calves but aren't you saying that he will purchase your calf crop? I will tell you that my brother has not had a problem selling his Pied influenced calves. He gets a call every year from the same two fellows that want to take whatever he has available. You can see more about crossbreeding at http://www.pauscattle.org/crossbreeding.htm as well. There are a couple of programs out there that offer premiums for the Pied influenced cattle but it sounds like that is what your friend is wanting to do for you. I would think it would be better to deal with him.
Your cattle look great. One of my mentors just purchased six bred Brangus heifers and he plans to use them as recipient cows for his Piedmontese embryos. He will probably do some crossing with a couple as well. Should make a great cross. I will tell you that the best beef I have had came from his cross of Shorthorn/Piedmontese.

Good luck and best wishes regardless of what you decide to do.

 

[Mr. Greenjeans]

I appreciate the input.

The concerns and suggestions have all been put to thought.

Mr. Greenjeans

 

[Horticattleman]

I would do it IF
1. they agree to buy ALL claves, alive or dead.
2. a preset price at preset weight.

I think they are great, but if they want 5 and you're stuck with 12 to sell locally at a discount, you could come out on the losing end.

 

[3waycross]

I would do it IF
1. they agree to buy ALL claves, alive or dead.
quote]


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