What to do??

[Herefordcross]

Ok here's the deal, I have 12 heifers in one lot that are ready to be turned out with the bull weighing between 900 and 100 lbs. BWF. These are ones I kept as replacements, but, these jokers are bringing $1.20/lb. at the sale. Their slicked up and looking good. I know what it cost me to get them to where their at, bottom line is: I can sell them and use the money elsewhere or use them as I had intended to.If my numbers are correct?? I would be ahead to sell them and buy a half dozen cow/calf pairs. What do you more experienced guys think about my way of thinking? Please don't turn this into an arguement, I see a lot of good topics being locked because, tempers flare.

 

[TXBobcat]

How about half and half? Go thru the 12 heifers and pick the top 6 for keepers and sell the rest.

 

[mitchwi]

1. What are your goals?
2. You know the background on yours, not the same case for new purchases.
3. I do like TXBobcats thought process tho, if it works into your plans.

 

[stocky]

If you can get 1.20 per pound for heifers that weigh from 900-1000 lbs that are open, I would sell the heifers unless you have an overriding, special reason for keeping them. 1200 dollars for open heifers is an incredible price. If the money isnt important and you have sentimental attachment and can afford to do it, keep them, they sound outstanding. All depends upon your situation

 

[Bullbuyer]

?$!.20 sounds really high to me for open heifers. Better sell if they'll get any where close to that price.

 

[Muratic]

Cattle prices will not always be this good. Sell High, buy low.

SELL THEM

 

[Texas PaPaw]

If you can get $1.20 for open heifers, sell them. You should be able to buy experienced short-bred cows this fall for less & save 4 months grass in the process. Also experienced cows don't require as much baby sitting during calving.

During this down side of the cattle price cycle you should be able to sell cows (either heavy bred or pairs) in the summer & replace them for less (with short breds) a few months later in the fall. Start with middle aged cows now & replace with a little younger cow each year. Also, by selling in late summer & not replacing till fall you should be able to run more cows on the same land. As your pasture growth declines during the summer heat gradually sell cows over a 2-3 mo period & use the early fall to stockpile grass for winter grazing. By the time we get to the bottom of this cycle you will have a young set of cows while generating a positive cash flow in the process.

I'm sure some will think this is a radical idea. However, frequent sales with delayed replacement purchases in a declining market is a technique that will allow a positive cash flow while maintaining (with a few months gap) your inventory. Just my 2 cents worth.

Good luck & happy trails.

Brock

 

[Herefordcross]

Bullbuyer
Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 7:26 am Post subject:

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?$!.20 sounds really high to me for open heifers. Better sell if they'll get any where close to that price.

There is a local buyer that supplies the high end beef market, and he knows our stuff hasn't been shot up with ralgro and stuff like that. And another one of his stipulations is that the cattle aren't full of mud/manure. I have to move them from their current pen today because they are call for a few inches of rain today. To a graveled pen where's it's mud free.

 

[mnmtranching]

Up here 1000lb open heifers, good black baldies would bring 80 to 90 $. If I could get 120 I would sell unless they are something special or theres a tax problem or something. Average type pairs will bring 1200 to 1400 $. So if you want to make money selling and buying pairs would be the way to go.

mnmt

 

[stocky]

Herefordcross, your explanation of why your heifers are worth 1.20 per pound tells me that you have a very good business opportunity to feed heifers to 1000 pounds each year and get an outstanding price because of your reputation with this meat company. I would advise you to consider raising some heifers and/or steers each year especially for that special market, in addition to whatever permanent cow-calf pairs you keep. Good luck

 

[Herefordcross]

This is more or less about twenty head a year, and my feed costs and the finishing costs involved, really doesn't allow me to make that much more money than if I sent them at 600-650 to the sale. Me daughters enjoy fooling around with 'em, temporary pets before they go down the road.

 

[Jogeephus]

I'd have to sell.

 

[d6cattleman]

Cattle prices will not always be this good. Sell High, buy low.

SELL THEM

:shock: A $1.20? I agree with muratic, "Sell high, and buy low" Buy the cowcalf pairs and then when they come of age sell the calves and if the market stays as good as it is, you will have almost payed for your cows.Thats just my opinion though.

 

[msscamp]

Ok here's the deal, I have 12 heifers in one lot that are ready to be turned out with the bull weighing between 900 and 100 lbs. BWF. These are ones I kept as replacements, but, these jokers are bringing $1.20/lb. at the sale. Their slicked up and looking good. I know what it cost me to get them to where their at, bottom line is: I can sell them and use the money elsewhere or use them as I had intended to.If my numbers are correct?? I would be ahead to sell them and buy a half dozen cow/calf pairs. What do you more experienced guys think about my way of thinking? Please don't turn this into an arguement, I see a lot of good topics being locked because, tempers flare.

I believe I would keep the top 3 or 4, maybe even 6 if they were equally outstanding, and sell the rest. That way you've still got the genetics you know and can trust, but you've also got some cash flow to use elsewhere.