Culling Cows

Gripshover · #1 01/04/14, 03:34 PM

My situation is this. I have 2-3 cows I want to cull 1st to 3rd calf cows. They calved in Oct. Bull is currently running with them. When would be the best time to cull? should I keep them till summer to raise the calves then wean calves and cull the cows.if I do that they will be 4-5 mos bred or should I sell them with the calves at their side and bred? Thank You for any suggestions. I have a couple heifer calves that I Feel are better quality that I want to keep.

Leo

Karin L · #2 01/05/14, 06:29 PM

That all depends on when the market is best for these cull-cows. Though three-in-ones go for more than bred cows, most of the time it's best to cull them around the same time feeders are entering the market, which is in the fall and then again in the spring. Look at your local market, talk with some folks about when the price may be right to get rid of those girls, and make your choice from there.

CIW · #3 01/08/14, 11:24 PM

Selling 3 for 1 is a loosing proposition for the seller. By the time you have a confirmed bred cow you have mostly raised the calf standing beside her and you won't realize the money that you will weaning and selling separate. On a 3 for one price you are handing the buyer $1300, maybe more.
There's other things that come into play, that can't be seen here, such as conformation, attitude, health, feed stocks, genetics, grazing potential coming in the spring. All effect the culling process.
All that being said. Cull hard and deep. Anything that doesn't meet your future goals needs to go no mater the cost. The longer you keep them the further away from your goals you get because the are continually using up resources.

haypoint · #4 01/09/14, 07:55 AM

What are they? Dexter, Angus, Holstein? Makes a difference on how to sell. What part of the country are they? Cost of hay and available spring pasture changes timing, too, so location is important.
I think I'd sell Angus in September, open. Holsteins I'd sell a month before they freshen. Anything else, I'd suggest an ad in Craigslist and keep discounting them until they are gone.

Awnry Abe · #5 01/09/14, 08:17 AM

If you state your general locale, you might get some region-specific feedback. This is just a hunch, but what I say as gospel for here in west central MO may be hogwash, say, up in the N. Mich U.P. The following applies to my locale, at the Kingsville livestock auction. With private sales, freezer beef marketing, or different locale, YMMV.

On Tuesday, 1 500 lb heifer went for 1.74, 1 400 lb heifer for 1.90, and 1 400 lb steer for 2.25. (wow!!!!!). According to the word from the large buyers, everything-- heifers, cows, steers, bulls--is headed to the feed lot/slaughter house. (These are specific animals that a friend sold. He was jumping out of his socks and called me at work to advise to load up if I could.)

This is (perhaps) a very unusual time. Those prices are unreal. Conventional wisdom, that has been handed down to me from folks that have been doing this for decades, is that the market AROUND HERE gets strong in the fall, and remains strong almost right up the the week in the spring when the farmers can get back out in the fields to work. The general lesson to be learned is to not wait until nice weather to load your cows and take them to market.

Allen W · #6 01/09/14, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awnry Abe

If you state your general locale, you might get some region-specific feedback. This is just a hunch, but what I say as gospel for here in west central MO may be hogwash, say, up in the N. Mich U.P. The following applies to my locale, at the Kingsville livestock auction. With private sales, freezer beef marketing, or different locale, YMMV.

On Tuesday, 1 500 lb heifer went for 1.74, 1 400 lb heifer for 1.90, and 1 400 lb steer for 2.25. (wow!!!!!). According to the word from the large buyers, everything-- heifers, cows, steers, bulls--is headed to the feed lot/slaughter house. (These are specific animals that a friend sold. He was jumping out of his socks and called me at work to advise to load up if I could.)

This is (perhaps) a very unusual time. Those prices are unreal. Conventional wisdom, that has been handed down to me from folks that have been doing this for decades, is that the market AROUND HERE gets strong in the fall, and remains strong almost right up the the week in the spring when the farmers can get back out in the fields to work. The general lesson to be learned is to not wait until nice weather to load your cows and take them to market.

Here in NW Okla. the sales between Thanks giving and Christmas are normally slow, a good time to pick up bargins. This year the seats were full and demand high. We are fairly dry and the wheat pasture is slim.

With out knowing the OP's area and marketing demand cycle it's hard to give an answer. I would hate to advise some one in my local area right now the way the markets are

Awnry Abe · #7 01/09/14, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen W

Here in NW Okla. the sales between Thanks giving and Christmas are normally slow, a good time to pick up bargins. This year the seats were full and demand high. We are fairly dry and the wheat pasture is slim.

With out knowing the OP's area and marketing demand cycle it's hard to give an answer. I would hate to advise some one in my local area right now the way the markets are

That last sentence is worth amplifying. I didn't intend to advise, especially with respect to current pricing. That was just a historical data point that was just a few days old. Next week, the market may turn on a dime.

Allen W · #8 01/09/14, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awnry Abe

That last sentence is worth amplifying. I didn't intend to advise, especially with respect to current pricing. That was just a historical data point that was just a few days old. Next week, the market may turn on a dime.

I wasn't refering to any thing you said just my feelings of the unpredictability of the market currently.

The market is still strong here what little I watched today, couldn't get a seat and didn't want to stand. The market isn't following seasonal trends or if it is this spring when grass is green will be absolutly wild.

Gripshover · #9 01/11/14, 02:27 PM

Thank You for all the advise. I live in NKY so I would sell at Owenton KY stockyard or Lexington KY stockyard. They are all black I would say they are angus crossed with something else. Im leaning toward keeping them untill calves are weaned. I have plenty of hay, and selling them sometime in the spring as just bred cows. By that time they will be 4-6 mos bred. Im still green at the cattle operation.

Thank You
Leo