BlackCattleRancher said:
So what is everyone thinking on this years calves? Futures in the upper 120's, cost of gain ~$0.90/lb. Are you taking the $900 cash for your calves or laying it on the table for more on the fat market next spring?
I'm not much of a gambler- so taking the cash...When even late calves weighing around 450 are bringing well over $700- and the 600+ are bringing $850-900- I'll go for the bird in hand...
With another predicted tough La Nina winter for us up here- a shortage on hay- and no straw at all because of last years flooding- I even sold the bull calves that I didn't have already spoken for or sold... Local rancher offered $1000 a piece for them- and he'll feed them for the winter- see which develop the way he wants them to- and next spring those that don't fit what he wants for breeding bulls he'll cut and run as yearlings... Sure sounded easier to me- and hope he makes lots of money off them..
Bred heifers sold at the local sale for $1500 last week- which makes a fella wonder what they will be worth in the spring...If someone has plenty of feed- holding onto some good heifers may be the way to go with the shortage of cattle in the country now...