PPRM, I definately agree.  At our local calf sale last fall, talking to a fellow about one of the sad looking cows in a pen of opens and breds.  Pointed out how much of an eyesore that old Hereford/Shorthorn girl was.  He told me that she was about 16 years old and that he had sold her to the current owner when she was 8.  He said he was going to buy her back for a couple more calvings due to her fantastic track record for himself and the current owner.  In the end, I think he end up getting her back for a little over a $100.00, but that cow has proved herself profitable...even if she is ugly as sin.