Semen Prices on New Bulls

Cow Chaser · Feb 6, 2013

What is the deal with all these new bulls bringing $40 and up for semen. I'm all about trying something new and different but I can't afford to pay $50 or $60 a straw to A.I. with for an unproven bull. It used to be and I'm talking a year or two ago that a new bull comes out at $20 to $30 a straw and if he throws good calves then the price goes up. Now they just start them at $40 and go from there. I know the thought process is to only breed to top end cows if it the price is high, but that kind of price shuts the door on me.

shortyjock89 · Feb 6, 2013

What's $20 bucks extra to get an AI calf to you though?

sizzler14 · Feb 6, 2013

Hell I rememeber when Heat Seeker and WMW came out and was $15! there is too many proven bulls at $20 and $25 for me to pay $60 for a unproven bull that could possibly follow the path of many other bulls that are never heard of again after first year of promotion!

leanbeef · Feb 6, 2013

I agree...it's frustrating and discouraging when exciting new genetics come out and you don't feel you can justify the cost. I think you understand the reason clearly enough...these guys are marketing to the outfits that have the high dollar females and don't mind spending a little extra to get what they want and something not everybody has access to. I typically stick to the proven bulls that are more affordable, just because there are plenty to choose from that fit our program just fine. It would be nice if we got to choose from the larger pool, but that's just one factor to consider when you're justifying all the costs to implement AI in your program.

sizzler14 · Feb 6, 2013

I dont even mind paying that price as a second year bull, as long as I see a calf crop. For example, Man Among Boys, I have seen enough out of limited use to pay extra. Personally I saw enough from Bodacious to pay a little more (that is personally). Walks Alone, even Believe in Me. I would rather pay $50 for BIM WA or MAB or Bodacious instead of $60 for a new bull all because he sold high or in the case of Dakota Gold and Maternal Perfection. I love the looks of both of them, But lets look at say I AM LEGEND. He sold extremely high as a calf, and looking at him now, I have no use to breed to him. Irish Whiskey Sons. Yes they are vaulable, but I am not paying $60 or $70 for a bull who could fail like many of the IW and Mono sons. JMO!

Warrior10 · Feb 6, 2013

DiamondCattleCo said:
Hell I rememeber when Heat Seeker and WMW came out and was $15! there is too many proven bulls at $20 and $25 for me to pay $60 for a unproven bull that could possibly follow the path of many other bulls that are never heard of again after first year of promotion!

Spot on.

Cow Chaser · Feb 6, 2013

I agree with DiamondCattleCo, I wouldn't bat an eye to breed to a proven bull at $40 to $50 but to buy semen on an unproven bull is to risky for me. Spending $600 for 10 straws of an unproven bull or getting 20 straws on one that I know works, I think that's an easy decision. This day in age I have to watch the cost with a magnifying glass. No need to have semen that might be worthless just sitting in the tank, at a cheeper price per straw I would be more willing to take a chance.

jason · Feb 6, 2013

I have been able to pin anyone down to do this, but it would be fun to see a literal profit/loss statement on a promotional bull that hits big and one that fizzles out, year by year.

Everything down from raising him or buying him, all input costs, marketing costs, commissions, staff, etc.

Don't even need a name for each bull, just the #s.

CAB · Feb 6, 2013

This deal is so simple, as long as PPL will pay X amount for the semen it will be for sale @ X amount. If PPL don't like the price, don't bid.

jason · Feb 6, 2013

You can create artificial demand. Look at the diamond business, they "recently" discovered a large cache of diamonds somewhere in Russia I believe. The reason I put "recently" in quotes is, that it was actually discovered in the 70's, but we can't let the general population know the diamonds are not that rare.

Heck, you can create synthetic diamonds, but we are still supposed to pay 2 months salary for a tiny rock.

And yes I am idiot the caved into marketing hype, it was that or a frying pan over the head.

aj · Feb 6, 2013

I often wondered if I pulled semen on a bull. If semen is priced at 15$.......just to get things rolling........do people think he must not be any good cause of the price. Maybe pricing him at 25$ might be a marketing plan. Heck everbody knows a 25$ semen bull is better than a 15$ bull? There are acres acres of semen out there.

jason · Feb 6, 2013

aj said:
Heck everbody knows a 25$ semen bull is better than a 15$ bull?

People perceive price as quality or in this case, the ability to produce a champ.

Bi-Lane Livestock · Feb 6, 2013

So I am a little confused, you have one calf by year and if you like a bull, have seen him and think he's good what would stop you from paying more money for semen on him, proven or not? I mean come on $20-25 per straw and there asking $60 or $100, what's 4 or 80 bucks on a calf for show purpose? I think all bullls are underpriced especially when you look at the show pig or show lamb deal where young, unproven, good boars that are a high seller will sometimes go for seven- a grand per dose, and ya need to put 2 doses in em. Personally if I like the bull and think he will work on the particular cow I will spend a little bit more money, granted I am not breeding 300 cows that way but for making high-quality show calves I will pay a little bit more to make the final product.

blackdiamond · Feb 6, 2013

Bi-Lane Livestock said:
So I am a little confused, you have one calf by year and if you like a bull, have seen him and think he's good what would stop you from paying more money for semen on him, proven or not? I mean come on $20-25 per straw and there asking $60 or $100, what's 4 or 80 bucks on a calf for show purpose? I think all bullls are underpriced especially when you look at the show pig or show lamb deal where young, unproven, good boars that are a high seller will sometimes go for seven- a grand per dose, and ya need to put 2 doses in em. Personally if I like the bull and think he will work on the particular cow I will spend a little bit more money, granted I am not breeding 300 cows that way but for making high-quality show calves I will pay a little bit more to make the final product.

number of offspring born compared cow to sow... probably x10?

Cow Chaser · Feb 6, 2013

All I'm saying is in my personal situation I am not willing to buy high priced semen on an unproven bull. When you get right down to it those new bulls might not ever produce a winner. I know that's not always the case but you see alot of bulls in semen catalogs that you don't hear much about their calves doing any winning. I know there is a reason they were chosen to be a bull and they were chosen to be purchased by the big named promoters. I'm just saying I want a more proven bull for my dollar, I will take consistency over an "if" any day.

RyanChandler · Feb 6, 2013

Use stabalized genetics and you'll assume much less risk.

Olson Family Shorthorns said:
What's $20 bucks extra to get an AI calf to you though?

Kinda my thinking.

hamburgman · Feb 6, 2013

Bi-Lane Livestock said:
So I am a little confused, you have one calf by year and if you like a bull, have seen him and think he's good what would stop you from paying more money for semen on him, proven or not? I mean come on $20-25 per straw and there asking $60 or $100, what's 4 or 80 bucks on a calf for show purpose? I think all bullls are underpriced especially when you look at the show pig or show lamb deal where young, unproven, good boars that are a high seller will sometimes go for seven- a grand per dose, and ya need to put 2 doses in em. Personally if I like the bull and think he will work on the particular cow I will spend a little bit more money, granted I am not breeding 300 cows that way but for making high-quality show calves I will pay a little bit more to make the final product.

The prices on show boars pry has more to do with the fact that swine semen doesn't freeze well and is usually only chilled, limited breeding season, and no ejaculation extends to even 100 sows that I know of.

shortyjock89 · Feb 6, 2013

My deal is, if I think a certain bull is gonna make much better calves than my bull, I'll pretty well pay what it takes. I don't mean dumping $600 bucks in an average cow, but I'd dang sure spend $50-150 to use the best of the best. I will say that we don't AI much anymore, pretty much all ET and good old Red Diamond himself.

nkotb · Feb 6, 2013

Are you guys just copying and pasting from year to year? This topic comes up every year about this time. Somebody's paying too much for a bull, somebody's paying too much for the cow they just bought. What does it matter to you? How do you determine the worth of something? If someone is willing to pay it, power to them, in this case, it takes at least two people willing to pay this price, as it is an auction format and will go to the highest bidder. It really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things what you think this bull or that cow should go for, all that matters is the person who is buying it is willing to pay for it.

pf · Feb 6, 2013

Bi-Lane Livestock said:
So I am a little confused, you have one calf by year and if you like a bull, have seen him and think he's good what would stop you from paying more money for semen on him, proven or not? I mean come on $20-25 per straw and there asking $60 or $100, what's 4 or 80 bucks on a calf for show purpose? I think all bullls are underpriced especially when you look at the show pig or show lamb deal where young, unproven, good boars that are a high seller will sometimes go for seven- a grand per dose, and ya need to put 2 doses in em. Personally if I like the bull and think he will work on the particular cow I will spend a little bit more money, granted I am not breeding 300 cows that way but for making high-quality show calves I will pay a little bit more to make the final product.

Bi-Lane... knock it off with that commen sense stuff, thats ridiculous.!!!! You shouldn't be posting things that make sense, your out of line!

Semen Prices on New Bulls

Help Support Steer Planet:

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member