The question would be if steer calves are selling from $800 - $1000 and cull cows are bringing $1000 and Cull Bulls are between $1600 and $2000, on a sliding scale what would that put the value of a breed heifer or young breed cow. Four years ago we would pay $1500 for a reg. breed cow, today for that same quality of cow we would have to pay $2000.
Bred heifer prices
- Thread starter muddyviewrancher
- Start date
As an example: if you bought a bred heifer for $1500 at 4.5% interest over 3 years and it cost you $1 per day to keep her (all in - very very low estimate) and $30 to rebreed her, and she repeatedly rebred she would cost you about $67.50 in interest each year and you would have $462.50 into each calf for operating expenses. The cash flow part gets a little hairy as your lender may actually want their principle back as well. Add $500 per year and you need a $962.50 calf to cash flow it. I know most of us use our established herd and retained earnings to reduce that repayment issue (and even avoid tax), but replacements are an expensive venture from a cash flow perspective no matter how you slice it. If it costs over $1 per day average through the year, and if your heifer comes in open things can get a little squirrely. I think some of these young bred cows (with a good health background) at $1000 are a much better deal than the bred heifer at $1500.
Not that it won't work and does for lots of folks, just a cautious note about getting paid for your own efforts.
Not that it won't work and does for lots of folks, just a cautious note about getting paid for your own efforts.
C Thompson
Well-known member
I agree with RSL. The calculator is the cheapest piece of equipment you will ever buy and without exception will always return the most money. There was a time when it wasn't as needed but now nothing that used to always make sense will trump good math. I think it is great that some of us can get these prices for bred stock but we likely won't get too many repeat customers. Especially those that have bankers looking over their shoulders.
RanchHeifers
Member
Today's Superior Livestock Sale: Prices Dropped Dramatically for Bred Heifers. Lots of good deals if you have grass. Latest Prices http://www.heifer.pro
3 M L & C
Well-known member
The way some of you talk you would think that your home raised replacements are free. If you could take it to the sale and get 850 for a heifer, thats what its costing you to keep it. I like to be realistic, but when times are good all people want to talk about is how its not going to last, and be just overall pesimistic. When times are good you should take advantage now, not just sit on your hands and wait to see how other people are optimistic, and telling them how they are going to go broke.
Faster horses
Well-known member
Big bred cow sale today at Miles City Livestock and prices were down. Lots of bred cattle, but not a lot of buyers. When I find actual prices, I'll post them here. Some 8-10 year old cows brought $900 is all I know now.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Faster horses said:
Looks like young cows were $1300- $1655--- short termers $800- $1000 -- with middle aged in the middle ...
Bred heifers $1100 to $1450...
http://www.milescitylivestock.com/2011%20Market%20Reports/11.16.12.html
Which is not too high- when compared to cull cow prices.... I helped a neighbor haul in some culls - and he had a fat open cow that weighed 1700 that brought $1300- and a cow we figured out was 16 years old bring $1100...
This early snowstorm really has more folks scrambling for hay- or thinking twice about buying anything right now...I still think these bred cows/heifers will be worth something come about Feb or March..