Selling heifer bred or open?

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red

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What if you have a heifer that will be in a sale. She'll be old enough to be breed by sale time for an early calf. It is best to sell open or breed & let them decide on bull or her to an easy calving bull & sell as a bred heifer?

Red
 

Cattledog

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I have a hard time purchasing open females.  Show heifers are one thing, but if I am going to buy a replacement female I want them to be bred.  If they aren't you're probably looking at having at least 9 months before you get any return on your investment.  The only way I would consider it is if they are a flush worthy cow.  Then you just flush them and then breed. 
 

TMJ Show Cattle

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I say look at the potential prospective buyers at this sale and breed accordingly...but yes, breed her!
 

CPL

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Most consignment sales I've seen have a requirement on females having to be bred if they are a certain age or more. If you're talking about a 14-15 month old heifer, that is probably past her show age for the most part I'd only sell her bred. I've also seen some lots where they sell with 2 straws of semen that this farm owns an interest in the bull. Personally if I saw a 16-17 month old heifer who wasn't bred I'd be wondering why not.
 

red

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she'll be about 15 months. Being an end of December calf puts her out of most shows. Yes, I'm going to be truthful about her age!  ;)  (thumbsup)

Red
 

red

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OK, sounds like it's best to offer her as a bred heifer.

Now, what bull would be the most marketable? I want a high % Maine bull. Must be clean & would prefer polled.
She's a Hard core out of an IceMan Foreplay cow. I'll get better pictures of her. Her BW was 95 pounds which for us is low.  ;)

would love to see what ideas you can throw out to me!

Red
 

kanshow

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I've got a feeling I know who Justme is going to recommend!!    IMO, that would be a good choice. 
 

red

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As much as I like her bull, I'd prefer a proven easy calver for the first time.
We bred her grandmother ( silly to call her that) to Gigolo Joe so that might be an idea.

Red
 

kanshow

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Oh ...  I was thinking she'd say Major's Money Man.  I forgot her bull will be old enough soon. 
 

BCCC

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My guess is if selling at a club calf type sell, that a bred heifer bred to Dirty hairy would probally go over the best.
 
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