So what is a commercial heifer worth......

Spent some time at the sale barn today..... Cow market was all over the place.  The top end 4yo fleshy third stage black cows were just under 2000.  A little less then what they have been.  You don't have to dip much from "prime" cows and you are looking at 1300 buys a little older cows, or maybe not as fleshy etc....  Some skinny five year olds brought less then 1200.....  Then seven weight, what I would call replacement quality heifers sold by the pound to feedlot guys and came out at 1155.......

We are looking at buying some seven weight or so heifers for replacements, today I was not there to buy as much as to see what stuff was going for, but can't hardly justify 1200+\- for good quality open heifers when a bred six or seven year old that is not prime but is still a good cow can be bought in the 1500 range in small groups... Not to mention if you are willing to buy a cow in need of some feed you can get them for 11-1200

Salebarn economics fascinate me.....

We've got a strong set of replacement heifers weighing in that light 7 weight and the sale barn guys said they were worth 1.60 plus off the farm.  They are vet processed and will be going to one of their sales if not sold privately.

This particular sale barn does a good job with their feeder sales and where we've taken most of our feeders for several years.

They had a special bred sale of almost 300 head yesterday that I watched online.  One group of 5 crossbred heifers brought 2775 each.  I know the place that bought and developed them and they couldn't have been managed better.  There was also a group of heifers that struggled to bring 1600.00.  They looked ok but lighter on camera so I'm not sure what happened.

A group of purebred not registered 5-7 year old big, big cows in a previous sale were in that 1500-2000 range.

I know a guy that had 150 heifers priced at 2750-3000 managed really well and bred tight that had 20 some left 10 days after he put them up for sale.

I'm also confused on the math.  I am more than happy to sell 7 weight cattle now than another year of feed, sych and AI costs, etc.

I don't know where you live ejoe326 but in iowa light 7weight heifers that bring 1.60 are fleshy and not desirable.  Replacement quality heifers weighing 7 and in light to moderate flesh are in the 1.70 plus range and some are pushing 1.80

How much does it cost you to background a bred heifer for a year.  Figure AI cost and vet bills around 60-70

1.7x725=1232.50

Bred heifer valued at 2000 subtract 1232.5 and 70 and you get 697.5, doesn't cost that much to background a heifer for a year if you watch your inputs.

Just my opinion, I did see some 5weights at basset, NE brought 2.47 and they went out as replacements, that one is a little more of a risk I would say.

I should have added 1.60+ a dollar amount.  I would not sell these heifers for 1.60 as they are in moderate flesh and ready to go.

I'm not sure of the exact dollar amount for this year right now.  I have been putting in all our of input costs and I keep coming up with more things to add.  We buy protein and mineral and raise the rest.  But machinery costs, upkeep, fuel, etc. really bump this up.

We will start off with about 13.21 per head in each calf just at calving.  Then add in repeated vaccinations, worming, fly control, pelvic measurements, synch shots, ear tags, minimum 15.00/straw semen, pasture costs, bull costs, preg checks, and I prefer to sell now. 

I know people make a ton of money selling breds when you get the calves bought right or can raise a good group yourself.  If calves weren't 1.60 and up I'd definitely be keeping these to breed.