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Turning out bulls, May 25, 2009

Soapweed

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Messages
16,264
Location
northern Nebraska Sandhills
Someofournewbulls.jpg

Some of our new bulls
Bulls1.jpg


Bulls2.jpg


Bulls3.jpg


Bulls4.jpg


Bulls5.jpg


Bulls6.jpg


Bulls7.jpg


Bulls9.jpg


Bulls10.jpg


Bulls11.jpg


Bulls12.jpg


Bulls13.jpg


Standinginahole.jpg

Standing in a hole
Inthepasture.jpg

In the pasture
 
Faster horses said:
They look good, Soap. But are they all straight Angus?
Looks like a little Gelbvieh might be in some of them.
Not that it matters, I was just curious.

They are mostly Angus, but there could be a tick of something else in them as they are just out of good commercial ranch cows.
 
We sure missed a chance for a good rain didn't we Soapweed. I was afraid that would happen. I thought for sure we were in for a good start but this last month sure changed my mind. I'm glad some people got some moisture. Maybe next time.
 
Big Swede said:
We sure missed a chance for a good rain didn't we Soapweed. I was afraid that would happen. I thought for sure we were in for a good start but this last month sure changed my mind. I'm glad some people got some moisture. Maybe next time.

Yep. Four days of 70% chance just isn't good enough. :(
 
Soapweed? how come you brand your calves on the hip and the bulls have a rib brand? does the hip have the previous owners brand?
 
Yanuck said:
Soapweed? how come you brand your calves on the hip and the bulls have a rib brand? does the hip have the previous owners brand?

Yes, the previous owner's brand is on the hip so our brand is put on the rib. It works well, because they apply the Spearhead brand with our electric iron when the bulls are fertility checked. This makes it more convenient for us and saves an extra trip through a squeeze chute for the bulls.
 
Somthing is wrong. I can't see sopes pictures any more. It started a few weeks back and I all I get is a small box with a red X in it. I can still see some pictures posted by others. I also have this trouble a few other posters.
What is wroug and how do I fix it?
 
alabama said:
Somthing is wrong. I can't see sopes pictures any more. It started a few weeks back and I all I get is a small box with a red X in it. I can still see some pictures posted by others. I also have this trouble a few other posters.
What is wroug and how do I fix it?

did you try right clicking on the picture and opening it that way?
 
Grassfarmer said:
I'm interested in your policy of buying bulls and shipping them after you have used them Soapweed. What weight will these new bulls be?

The bulls weighed 1166# average the morning we loaded out and took delivery on them, which was May 20th.

Grassfarmer said:
how many cows do you give them on average?

We give them 25 cows apiece, and turn several bulls out with each bunch of cattle. They seem to get the job done, as we have done it this way for quite a few years.

kolanuraven said:
They look small...how old are they?

The ranch that I bought them from doesn't start calving until April 1st, so most of these bulls were born in April last year (2008). They are in just-right condition for breeding cows (in my book), and should work all summer and still pretty much hold their weight. Unless someone comes along needing some "experienced" young bulls to use themselves for next year, these bulls will be sold by the pound in late August. It sure saves on winter feeding costs, not to mention all the furniture that these party boys can tear up during the nine and a half months I don't need them.
 
12-13 months old......geezz that's awfully young.


Are you sure they are even up to being fully fertile?,
 
I like the bulls this year soap, they seem to be built a little more solid than in years past? My imagination?

Also (if it is not prying too much) could you give us a breakdown on your bull method.

IE: I buy them for $1200 then sell them in august for .65 per pound ect...

Also do you not winter a single bull?
 
I would have guessed 1100# and 13 months but I would have guessed 22 cows per bull. I would guess you sell them weighing 1020-1050 and get .78 for them. Young bulls work, at least the ones that aren't overfed.

The big advantage to what Soap is doing is he can run 20-40 extra cows on what that bull eats in the time he isn't being used.

The disadvantage is you won't get me to raise bulls for what he is paying for them.
 
>> 20-40 extra cows on what that bull eats in the time he isn't being used. <<

That's a good point 20 extra calves will more than offset any slippage he has on the sale vs. purchase price.

This soapy guy is pretty savvy.
 
nortexsook said:
I like the bulls this year soap, they seem to be built a little more solid than in years past? My imagination?

I would agree with you. Both the bull seller and I thought the bulls this year were the best yet that I have bought from him.

nortexsook said:
Also (if it is not prying too much) could you give us a breakdown on your bull method.

IE: I buy them for $1200 then sell them in august for .65 per pound ect...

Also do you not winter a single bull?

$1400 apiece was the purchase price for 30 bulls from this ranch, which is the same price I've paid the past three years. I've also purchased quite a few bulls from four other sources this spring and have about $1250 apiece invested in these. In August last year, some of the young bulls sold for 92 cents per pound down to 82 cents per pound depending on which day they were sold. I also sold 12 head to a couple neighbors for $1000 apiece. As the price went down later in the fall, before all the bulls were sold, I did hold over nine bulls.

It seems like when all the dust settles, doing it this way comes out cheaper than renting bulls.
 
$1400 apiece was the purchase price for 30 bulls from this ranch,

Was that for spring delivery? The reason I am asking is I thought you paid .10$ over steer price for them in the fall and then had Swede winter them.
I may have misspoke when I said I wouldn't be raising bulls for what you paid.
 
No gripes About the age of the Bulls.For several years only had enough cows for 1 bull. Couldnt find a Gelbvieh bull in my area for a reasonable price that was considered old enough. Put a 12 month old in the pasture.Had 19 calves born to 19 cows all alive,no pulls and weaned 100% calf crop in 205 days. (19 cows were all i had) all born in a 20 calving season.If the bull has the look I want and the background I dont hesitate to use him.
 

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