Cattle, hay and such

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · Dec 1, 2013

I'm always interested in how folks in other parts of the country are making out. So this is a price comparison thread of sorts. I've been "beating the bushes" for a couple dozen bred cows to replace some old cows I culled. Prices range from $1700 to $2100 each. I just wondered what they are in other states. I usually grow enough hay to do me but I ran up on a fellow who had 5 X 5 rolls of mixed grass hay(fescue,orchardgrass, clover) for $25 if I took it all, 200 rolls, I took it. Hay is not sold here by the ton but by the bale. Whats it bring were you are? We don't feed "cake" to cattle 'round here during the winter, but more commonly dry feed which is 1/3 cracked corn, 1/3 soybean hull pellets, and 1/3 corn gluten pellets. It'll run about $210 a ton bulk delivered. How do you do things in yur neck of the woods?

sweettractors · Dec 1, 2013

Soggy Bottom Outdoors said:
I'm always interested in how folks in other parts of the country are making out. So this is a price comparison thread of sorts. I've been "beating the bushes" for a couple dozen bred cows to replace some old cows I culled. Prices range from $1700 to $2100 each. I just wondered what they are in other states. I usually grow enough hay to do me but I ran up on a fellow who had 5 X 5 rolls of mixed grass hay(fescue,orchardgrass, clover) for $25 if I took it all, 200 rolls, I took it. Hay is not sold here by the ton but by the bale. Whats it bring were you are? We don't feed "cake" to cattle 'round here during the winter, but more commonly dry feed which is 1/3 cracked corn, 1/3 soybean hull pellets, and 1/3 corn gluten pellets. It'll run about $210 a ton bulk delivered. How do you do things in yur neck of the woods?

If you had the time, you could pickup the 12 bred younger cows at the stockyard at 1000-1300. You would need to be patient and skilled in what to look for and expect to buy 2-3 at a time. Buying off the farm would be my choice, however, you will pay a premium price. Ken Sweet

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · Dec 1, 2013

Thanks for the tip Ken, I consider myself skilled and patient but I make it a common practice to not buy anything at a stockyard. Sometimes you can bring more than just livestock. So far I have looked at 6 groups and bought none. I'll look at 3 more herds this week. I'm willing to pay a premium price if the producer can back up his claims, ie "been with a bull" is not the same as "vet checked guaranteed 6 months bred".

rmk700 · Dec 1, 2013

Looks like here they are running $1,400 and $1,600. Got that from local classified adds. Not sure what they are at the stockyards here.

foreman Etexas · Dec 1, 2013

Around the same here 1400 to 1600 and the better 2100 to 2400. I don't buy from the sale barn,I know enough ranchers pay alittle more for something I know the back ground. I raise a lot of heifers myself,it does take longer but I think well worth the time and if at anytime don't see anything I like it gets sold. Its just cheaper to put them with a different bull or if just have the one trade him out for new.
I cut and bale my own hay but you have it great only having to give 25 a bale if its good stuff,here a 5x5 would cost you 60/65 a bale delievered. I feed a ration, the same as you to heifer and steers(215ton),the cows get 20%cubes (340ton).
What are you looking to get?

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · Dec 2, 2013

ETexas, I'm looking for some Angus X stuff, crossed with Hereford, Charlious, Gelveih, or no more than a 1/4 Brahma(Bramer) Not interested in crosses with Limosine, Siminthal,Salers, Maine, Dairy, or Tartenaise. They will be bred to a Black Gelveih bull. Something with mature weight of 1200-1400lbs, 2 to 5 year olds, that will calf March-May of '14.

foreman Etexas · Dec 2, 2013

Soggy Bottom Outdoors said:
ETexas, I'm looking for some Angus X stuff, crossed with Hereford, Charlious, Gelveih, or no more than a 1/4 Brahma(Bramer) Not interested in crosses with Limosine, Siminthal,Salers, Maine, Dairy, or Tartenaise. They will be bred to a Black Gelveih bull. Something with mature weight of 1200-1400lbs, 2 to 5 year olds, that will calf March-May of '14.

There some charolais cross bred heifer,on cattlerange.com in KY. Also some nice looking angus on there. I like the brangus/charolais cross heifers,I also have a bull that cross and a black angus bull,looking to add another black bull,maybe a beefmaster haven't desided. I have solid black,black baldies,tiger strip,full charolais and just a couple brown angus/beefmaster cross. The smokies are my favorite cross,I bought my composite bull young and will be first time using one,on the old cows. Heifers will stay on a LB angus for couple years and will see what the other is throwing. 1/4 ear is also the most like in my herd,to much get docked at sale or high headed.