loomixguy
Rancher
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Posts: 2118
Location: The Dark Side
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 Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Angus 62 wrote: |
I guess the big question is what does the buyer plan on doing with them next spring. If he simply wants to winter them at a pound or so of gain so they can go out on grass next spring it is a far different deal then wintering them to gain at a good rate so they can go into a finishing lot.
There are increasing numbers of people wintering calves on native grass or cornstalks at a low rate of gain so they can go to grass in the spring. If that is the case put a price on your hay, grass or whatever is to be fed and any protein supplement you have to feed as well as your time and machinery cost. |
That's why you plug all this information in when you are filling out a ration request form. If the rep is there, with his laptop, then you can ask, "what if we did this?" and see the results instantly. Depending on all the variables, there can be quite a difference in cost/head/day. Swapping out a little alfalfa for grass hay can make a significant change in cost or results. I had a guy who bought every bit of alfalfa he fed. The rations indicated he needed better quality alfalfa. When questioned, it turned out his supplier was passing poorer quality alfalfa on him for higher quality price. He then got the higher quality alfalfa for the same price as the junkier stuff, and, not having to feed as much alfalfa, the savings paid his entire LOOMIX bill, as opposed to feeding more of the junk at the same price. The bottom line was, he got his cows through the winter and calving with excellent results, and, at a price per head/day that he was comfortable with.
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