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Bred cow prices

Hereford76

Well-known member
The other night a very good friend phoned asking for help in marketing their herd. The lady is in her late 70's and is on one of the oldest ranches in montana. She lost her husband last winter and lost her daughter this march that basically ran the ranch. She is on her own now and has decided to sell her cows and lease the land.

She has asked for help in marketing her cows. She has 150 cows from 2 to 9 years of age. They keep and breed 25 heifers/year and sell 20 older cows a year. They start calving 10 of March and their herd is straight horned hereford.

I could not give her answer on what they would be worth. I was curious to know if many commercial bred cows have been moving elsewhere and what an average price for younger and or older bred cows might be. Anyhow, I can't imagine this is going to be a good year to be dispersing. Any input would be appreciated or if someone knows of anyone in the market for some good solid hereford cows. There is basically no market for cows in our neck of the woods as the range and feed situation is extremely tight.
 

katrina

Well-known member
Totally depends on the cow...cows.... Good bagged, good feet and raising good calves... Is there records? Are they Purebred? Can we see the calves?? Are they bred back and preg cheked? If you can answer all them questions with a yes....

$900.00 to 1400.00 depends on the age..
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
A registered angus breeder near here just retired-- sold out the entire herd in one bunch to a neighbor- and leased the land...Stockyards scuttlebutt says he got $1200 a head for the cattle across the board- 2 year old to 10 year olds..

Your best bet marketing those cattle may be in the southern part of the state where they have lots more hay than the hiline does.....

From what I hear- and read on some of the other websites- it sounds like a lot of Canadian herds being sold out this fall too...Altho they won't affect seedstock prices that much down here- as they are unable to come south into Montana because Montana requires early Bangs vaccination for importing- which Canada apparently doesn't allow...
 

Kato

Well-known member
There have been no bred cow sales here yet, but last winter about three quarters went for slaughter from the sales. So I guess, unless they're special cows, in this area breds are worth slaughter price.

Anyone offered twelve hundred for a cow around here would have the trucker on the phone two minutes after the deal was made. :shock: :shock:
 

Northern Rancher

Well-known member
Why would we vaccinate we've been Bang's free for years. Explain why cattle from a TB free herd in a TB free area that have had TWO negative TB tests would have to be quarantined for sixty days-I've had to deal with Montana import regs before-interesting stuff.
 

Hereford76

Well-known member
OT - that is really the kind of deal I was looking for. 1200 across the boards for registered cows. Again, the cows are just plain old good cows similair to what soapweed posts on here only they are hereford.

This whole deal was just sprung on me last night. She has offered a young guy down there that has been helping off and on for a long time and pretty much full time since this spring the chance to lease the place. He deserves the first crack at it in my mind but it sounds like he is having trouble making it work. I put my foot in the door - but I really want to get an idea of what a fair price for the whole works would be. This place is 200 miles from us but it is in absolutely beautiful country that is never dry. Just north east of lewistown right in the mountains. I asked my wife this morning what she would think about relocating.

I don't know about any of you folks out there, but 2 years ago there is no way in heck I would let this opportunity slip through my fingertips but I'm not so sure anymore. Lately, less seems to be more. I'm scared crapless with our government and I really have know idea what is headed our way as cattlemen. What are taxes going to look like in another couple years, what is this cap and trade going to do, some farmer neighbors said their bankers have declined to renew their operating notes. Inputs just keep going up... has anyone noticed how expensive tires are getting. I take comfort in the wisdom of several old timers around here when they say that they have been through all this before - but something makes me think it might be a little different this time.

by the way - its a rain day here today. 1/2 inch in the guage and looks like it might just rain the whole day. I hope so.
 

Hereford76

Well-known member
Northern Rancher said:
Why would we vaccinate we've been Bang's free for years. Explain why cattle from a TB free herd in a TB free area that have had TWO negative TB tests would have to be quarantined for sixty days-I've had to deal with Montana import regs before-interesting stuff.

I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to buy females out of canada. I don't think it will ever happen again. either you guys will have to be able to bangs vaccinate or montana import specs will have to change and I don't get the impression that is going to happen real soon. How did this whole situation get so screwed up. thanks r-calf. we used to send our feeders up into your country and it has never been the same since we lost those days.
 

Northern Rancher

Well-known member
It was when I was just a little kid when they did the test and slaughter protocol for Bangs which effectively cleaned it up-they used to test all auction mart cows also. No reason to vaccinate against a disease you don't have-just another nonofficial trade barrier brought to you by the government. 76 if us Canadians survived BSE I'm pretty sure you'll be able to muddle through Obama-never say whoa in a tight spot.
 

burnt

Well-known member
Northern Rancher said:
It was when I was just a little kid when they did the test and slaughter protocol for Bangs which effectively cleaned it up-they used to test all auction mart cows also. No reason to vaccinate against a disease you don't have-just another nonofficial trade barrier brought to you by the government. 76 if us Canadians survived BSE I'm pretty sure you'll be able to muddle through Obama-never say whoa in a tight spot.

I like your attitude.
 

Northern Rancher

Well-known member
I'm usually in a big enough s....tstorm with what's going on today to worry much about what might happen tomorrow-deal with you can deal with-I don't worry much about what's out of my hands.
 

nortexsook

Well-known member
Be careful when considering moving to take over a lease. What happens when the lady passes away? Will the heirs honor the lease? You'll need air tight terms.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Hereford76 said:
Northern Rancher said:
Why would we vaccinate we've been Bang's free for years. Explain why cattle from a TB free herd in a TB free area that have had TWO negative TB tests would have to be quarantined for sixty days-I've had to deal with Montana import regs before-interesting stuff.

I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to buy females out of canada. I don't think it will ever happen again. either you guys will have to be able to bangs vaccinate or montana import specs will have to change and I don't get the impression that is going to happen real soon. How did this whole situation get so screwed up. thanks r-calf. we used to send our feeders up into your country and it has never been the same since we lost those days.

I don't know if its so much the worry about the Bangs in Canada- as it is the Bangs in the governments wildlife in Montana--and it being transferred from them to nonvaccinants...And since unless cattle are vaccinated before they are 12 months old they claim they can't be vaccinated- that is the reason they are not allowed in now since Canada doesn't allow OCV vaccination anymore...

Age- eligible (4-12 month old) non vaccinants can still be imported from Canada if it is lined up to get them vaccinated upon arrival.....

Canadian Origin Cattle Brucellosis Requirements: Must comply with Official Order 08-01-I

i. Testing:

(1) Bulls and females 18 months of age and older must have a negative test within 30 days of import.

(2) Steers and spayed heifers of any age do not need a test

ii. Vaccination:

(1) Female animals must be Official Calf-hood Vaccinates (OCV) as directed by ARM 32.3.212

(a) Non-vaccinated, age eligible females (4-12 months old) are placed under a hold order for brucellosis vaccination or spaying within 30 days of arrival as directed by ARM 32.3.212(c).

(b) Heifers under 4 months of age are eligible only if accompanied by dam that meets all requirements.

(c) Non-vaccinated females over 12 months of age are not eligible for importation into Montana .

http://liv.mt.gov/liv/ah/import/cattle.asp

As its required from even Brucellosis Free States:

4. Brucellosis Testing Requirements

a. Brucellosis Class Free States :

i. Cows any age - must be Official Calf hood Vaccinates (OCV) and have a legible tattoo.

ii. Bulls

(1) Bull calves without dams, 1 month or less of age

(a) 30 day hold disease quarantine per Official Order 98-01-I .

(b) Veterinarian’s statement on the CVI “Bull/steer calves must be held on premise of destination and may not be resold for 30 days."

(c) Must have official ear tag listed on CVI and permit.

(2) Bulls and Bull Calves over 1 month of age

(a) CVI and permit.

(b) Individually identified or brand inspected (from brand states)

(3) Rodeo Bulls of any age

(a) No brucellosis tests required

iii. Heifers

(1) Heifer Calves with dams, less than 4 months of age

(a) No specific requirements regarding OCV.

(2) Heifer Calves without dams, less than 4 months of age

(a) Quarantine for vaccination (OCV) within 6 months of arrival to Montana .


(b) Veterinarian’s statement on the CVI “Heifer calves are quarantined until eligible for vaccination. Not to be resold.”

(c) Must have individual official identification on CVI.

(d) Not allowed to go to market until OCV vaccinated.

(3) Heifer Calves 4 to 12 months of age

(a) Must have individual official identification on CVI.

(b) Calf hood Vaccinates (OCV), OR

(c) Quarantined for vaccination upon arrival (within 30 days), OR

(d) Spayed upon arrival (within 30 days)

iv. Steers or spayed heifers

(1) Steer calves without dams, 1 month or less of age

(a) 30 day hold disease quarantine per Official Order 98-01-I .

(b) Veterinarian’s statement on the CVI “Bull/steer calves must be held on premise of destination and may not be resold for 30 days."

(c) Must have official ear tag listed on CVI and permit.

(2) Steers or spayed heifers over 1 month of age

(a) No brucellosis tests required

(b) Veterinarian’s statement on the CVI noting that “heifers are spayed."

(c) Individually identified or brand inspected (from brand states)
 

Grassfarmer

Well-known member
katrina said:
Totally depends on the cow...cows.... Good bagged, good feet and raising good calves... Is there records? Are they Purebred? Can we see the calves?? Are they bred back and preg cheked? If you can answer all them questions with a yes....

$900.00 to 1400.00 depends on the age..

Wow, it's a different world down there :( I've got some cows arriving today that I just bought. They are straight red Angus, not registered, from a droughted out guy that's selling up. He has a real nice set of cows must have been culled really hard for udders and feet, rearing good calves, mainly young cows (most 3rd calvers) quiet, bought conditional on being preg checked bred. I got to pick the best 60% out of them (or the ones that I wanted anyway) - $625. I was thinking that maybe I had paid too much :roll:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Grassfarmer said:
katrina said:
Totally depends on the cow...cows.... Good bagged, good feet and raising good calves... Is there records? Are they Purebred? Can we see the calves?? Are they bred back and preg cheked? If you can answer all them questions with a yes....

$900.00 to 1400.00 depends on the age..

Wow, it's a different world down there :( I've got some cows arriving today that I just bought. They are straight red Angus, not registered, from a droughted out guy that's selling up. He has a real nice set of cows must have been culled really hard for udders and feet, rearing good calves, mainly young cows (most 3rd calvers) quiet, bought conditional on being preg checked bred. I got to pick the best 60% out of them (or the ones that I wanted anyway) - $625. I was thinking that maybe I had paid too much :roll:

That is sad if you're selling-- good if you're buying...Cull cows at Miles City this week were going close to that-- between $500-$800+ depending on weight and condition....From $40 to $49 cwt...
 

PureCountry

Well-known member
We sold some registered Galloway pairs beginning of August for $1600, but it's a different game now. We were hoping to sell another 80 as breds this fall, and if we could get $1200 with papers, they'd be gone in a heart beat. At that price I'd deliver them a long ways. Don't know what we'll get, or if we'll even get them sold. No one seems interested around home, so we're going to advertise a little farther out of our realm and see what that brings.

When I'm inspecting at auctions the cows are selling to packers almost exclusively. Prices are dropping the last 2 weeks. 35 cwt last week on most. Calves are big enough on most I've seen that they've split them and sold the calves as feeders. It's sad too - 5-6 wt calves going for $1-1.10. This is the start of the fall run. Calves should be $1.20-1.30. What are they going to be come November? If there's good news for the average commodity-producing beef guy, I don't know what it is.
 

Grassfarmer

Well-known member
PureCountry said:
We sold some registered Galloway pairs beginning of August for $1600, but it's a different game now. We were hoping to sell another 80 as breds this fall, and if we could get $1200 with papers, they'd be gone in a heart beat. At that price I'd deliver them a long ways. Don't know what we'll get, or if we'll even get them sold. No one seems interested around home, so we're going to advertise a little farther out of our realm and see what that brings.

When I'm inspecting at auctions the cows are selling to packers almost exclusively. Prices are dropping the last 2 weeks. 35 cwt last week on most. Calves are big enough on most I've seen that they've split them and sold the calves as feeders. It's sad too - 5-6 wt calves going for $1-1.10. This is the start of the fall run. Calves should be $1.20-1.30. What are they going to be come November? If there's good news for the average commodity-producing beef guy, I don't know what it is.

I think the good news is that there is a lot more feed in some areas of the country than we ever thought there would be back in July. I think there will be increased demand for bred cows as we get further into the traditional cow selling time of year. I think the bred cows will rise more than the calves will, seems to be no appetite from the feedlots for taking any kind of risk.
 

PureCountry

Well-known member
I really, really, really, really want you to be right GF. Lots folks here and there talk about how there "should" be demand for bred females this winter/next spring. I'm not sure I agree, although it never amazes me how short a person's memory is, and how quick they are to jump back in the frying pan when they think they can make a buck.

A wise man once said, "Never under-estimate the predictability of stupidity."
 
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