CALF PRICES

[Jill]

I have to agree with Dusty on this one.  Our state fair offers a premium of 10,000-that is the most you can win, yet each year there are 20-30k calves competing for that prize.  As long as your calves are competitive, the market is still there, the top end is stable.  As far as calves at the sale barn they are a whole different picture, 600# steers this week were between 1.00-1.20, I see the market falling out for bottom end, and we can't afford to feed them out.  The nice "county fair" steer is where I see the biggest problem, it's hard to justify a fair steer with 500/ton feed when you can make about the same sale premium with a pig or sheep, these calves will be the hardest sale of any in my opinion.

 

[knabe]

education is the only justification (oversimplification).  i surmise that if one took all of the revenue minus all the expenses not including board for all the animals, it's in the red.  it's basically a financial lottery rewarding the expceptional performers (ideally), but the payoff is teaching kids, which is a good enough reason.  along the way, there is enough money for ancillary industries to generate a profit for all the hassel of micro distribution of feeds, show supplies, trailers, trucks etc.  this type of enterprise requires volunteer time, which is reason enough to prove that the entire operation is not really profit driven.

education and fun, good point dusty.

 

[Dusty]

education is the only justification (oversimplification).  i surmise that if one took all of the revenue minus all the expenses not including board for all the animals, it's in the red.  it's basically a financial lottery rewarding the expceptional performers (ideally), but the payoff is teaching kids, which is a good enough reason.  along the way, there is enough money for ancillary industries to generate a profit for all the hassel of micro distribution of feeds, show supplies, trailers, trucks etc.  this type of enterprise requires volunteer time, which is reason enough to prove that the entire operation is not really profit driven.

There's really not much about showing cattle that is profit driven.  Showing cattle and making money are two phrases that don't often collide in the same sentence.  Showing cattle is a hobby nothing more nothing less.  It's like saying we didn't make any money going to that little league baseball tournament last weekend.  People don't set out showing cattle with intentions of making money most of the time.  And if they do, they will be sadly disappointed.  However it is fun and can be very educational.  I think it amounts to whatever you want to do with your leisure time and your disposable income.

 

[chambero]

Unfortunately, I think your "average" 4-H or FFA kid (at least their parents) think you should be selling them animals at prices they can make a profit on.  Danged near impossible now with show feed prices alone even on a calf they pay market price for that just makes the sale at an average county show.  Never mind electricity costs (which are almost as much as feed), costs of going to majors (for us around $1000+ each with hotel, food, etc), and on and on.  The payoff is the education and scholarship opportunities if your kid gets good grades also.

 

[Show Dad]

There's really not much about showing cattle that is profit driven.  Showing cattle and making money are two phrases that don't often collide in the same sentence.  Showing cattle is a hobby nothing more nothing less.  It's like saying we didn't make any money going to that little league baseball tournament last weekend.  People don't set out showing cattle with intentions of making money most of the time.  And if they do, they will be sadly disappointed.  However it is fun and can be very educational.  I think it amounts to whatever you want to do with your leisure time and your disposable income.

Unfortunately, Dusty, you right. Didn't use to be that way. Back in the day it was a way to promote. And the county fair was there for the local breeders. What a great loss for the average cattle breeder. The big state shows as well as the county fairs have become populated with expensive "show" cattle and has morphed into the sport of showing cattle. Which is becoming a sport only kings and noblemen can afford.

Around us the price of show calves hasn't gone down but the number sold has. It is only a matter of time before price follow or there is a thinning out of breeders. :'(

 

[aj]

Do you have to use th and pha carriers to compete in the 20 k deal? I still think that if things get bad enough alot of people will drop out and you start loosing sponsors and etc. I don't think the show feed industry will survive if they are only selling 20% of the feed they were originally selling to the lower class cattle before all heck broke loose. If the county fairs fold up and etc. etc I think it will have a trickle down affect. Just an opinion from a piss poor commercial trait orientated guy who has been at it 30 years. :-*

 

[itk]

I'm surprised some county fairs haven't started consolidating yet. I've been to numerous county fairs where there might be a dozen or so of every species. To me it would just make sense for these smaller fairs to join together to make one decent fair(except for more travel time by some patrons). The most eye opening experience I had ever had was going to the SLO county fair in California. I was amazed that a county fair could be bigger then our state fair. There were 3 times the number of calves at the show then are at my county fair but the top end wasn't any better. The champion sold for 10 times what the champion at our fair sells for. That being said the pig and sheep shows there was unbelievable. Kim Brock flew all the way from Stillwater to judge a county fair in California, who would have guessed. Aj could you imagine what would happen if Alabama or Brittany Spears headlined at the Thomas county fair(but it happened at SLO). We are lucky to get a local church group to come sing at ours. ;D

 

[knabe]

the SLO county fair has been huge for years.  the facilities are improving every year and it has become a major attraction for livestock events because of all the available accomodations, covered arena's, cattle handling facilities, local wine tasting etc.  the western expo put on by cal poly students is pretty big too, and it is i believe one of the bigger if not biggest maine show out west.  too many terminal heifers as breeding stock though for my taste, ie heat waves that can barely walk, but there were some that were ok.  would love to see some fullbloods out here.  i guess i could do that at some point.

in the 80's, the fair was even huge, i can't stand reba mcintyre, but that lady can sing acapello.  saw all the biggest country stars while in college there, even roy clark performing malaguena.

 

[shorthorns r us]

ever have that feeling that you are about to open a can of worms?

i can't stand reba mcintyre, but that lady can sing acapello.

why don't you like reba?

 

[knabe]

i don't like her doesn't mean i dislike her.  i just don't "like" her, meaning i wouldn't actively buy an album, go to a concert just to see her. 
one of my favorite all time songs that does get that little bone vibrating in my chest is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BOWrm4xzQ0

american idol singers could learn a thing about range from that girl.  too bad she ruined her career with the rock stuff.

i know this is stupid, but i actually get goose bumps pretty easy with music, and i got some listening to this, but NEVER as big as pavorotti singing nessun dorma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONUCPKdGcrk

None must sleep! None must sleep!
And you, too, Princess,
in your cold room,
gaze at the stars
which tremble with love
and hope!

But my mystery is locked within me,
no-one shall know my name!
No, no, I shall say it as my mouth
meets yours when the dawn is breaking!

And my kiss will break the silence
which makes you mine!

(No-one shall know his name,
and we, alas, shall die!)

Vanish, o night!
Fade, stars!
At dawn I shall win

i mean on the first word, i got goose bumps and they are still there as i'm typing, all over goose bumps, so effective they should make a cattle hair spray out of it to get the hairs sticking straight out.

reba doesn't get that little bone in one's chest to vibrate for me, just like hip hop doesn't either. 

i like the dead kennedy's, but i'm pretty sure that most people actually find them disgusting as oppossed to just not liking them.

 

[Will]

This has been our experience this spring.  The good one sold just as easy as ever.  When I say good one I am talking about the cattle in the $2000-5000 range.  In the past we easily sold all most of other calves for $1000-$1500.  It seems this year that those buyers are not looking.  I think the middle class blue collar worker just does not have as much exspedible income as they did one year ago.  Alot of my calf customers work in plants or construction and own 20 acres on the outside of town.  They love to show but with the cost of commuting some thing has to give.

 

[aj]

I know feedlot cowboy...now a manager of a small feedlot. He told me years ago he was invited to a picnic deal or something. There was a red head going to be there he might like to meet. He opted to go to a bar instead. Anyway he found out later it was reba. Oh the different paths us mortals take. itk...if we had a headliner like that out here the super wal mart would for sure be full. You are not related to btk are you.Lord forgive me.I'm just kidding.I don't think I can out wrestle you. ;D