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Ranchers.net

I've got a question for all of you to think about and respond to.

With the price of grain going to all time highs and probably setting a new price range in the future, is spring calving a smart business decision?

Here's what I'm getting at. There is such a huge volume of 500 to 600 pound steers that hit the market in October every year with the majority of them destined for feedlots, why would anyone want to pay a decent price for them any more. Can you blame them? With cost of gains going through the roof, I guarantee you they are going to discount five weight steers because there is such a huge supply of them.

The older I get, calving later in decent weather gets more appealing all the time. If that means selling lighter calves that will hit the grass market isn't that a win win situation?

Is summer or fall calving the answer? Not only less work but less expense. I've always heard it takes more feed for a fall herd, but if you normally background calves after weaning anyway, would it really take any more feed?

Looking forward to your thoughts.
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