In calf cow values

Vader

Member
Mixed Farmer
Trouble is, 6mths is along time for anyone to run a cow before they get any return
Got 6 months calf on them.
But no one will pay enough.
I can get 1600 for the cows for meat.
Calf at foot been getting 900-1000 when weaned off at 10 months.
So they worth 2500 to me as a unit.
Plus in calf again.

No one wants to pay more that 1800...
So was going to wean calfs and sell as stores
 
Got 6 months calf on them.
But no one will pay enough.
I can get 1600 for the cows for meat.
Calf at foot been getting 900-1000 when weaned off at 10 months.
So they worth 2500 to me as a unit.
Plus in calf again.

No one wants to pay more that 1800...
So was going to wean calfs and sell as stores
This is often the way with cows and calves.
I've often thought about selling cows and calves to keep the herd turning over quicker, but it usually works out better off to cull a strong cow and sell the calf weaned.

It often works out financially better off to sell the calf at a month old and cull the cow if she's in good condition, but I'm too soft for that game.
 

nails

Member
Location
East Dorset
Got 6 months calf on them.
But no one will pay enough.
I can get 1600 for the cows for meat.
Calf at foot been getting 900-1000 when weaned off at 10 months.
So they worth 2500 to me as a unit.
Plus in calf again.

No one wants to pay more that 1800...
So was going to wean calfs and sell as stores

They are always worth more split 9 times out of 10 . Even when you sell together , they will quite often get split and the cow sent on
 

jendan

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Northumberland
This is often the way with cows and calves.
I've often thought about selling cows and calves to keep the herd turning over quicker, but it usually works out better off to cull a strong cow and sell the calf weaned.

It often works out financially better off to sell the calf at a month old and cull the cow if she's in good condition, but I'm too soft for that game.
And if you sell at a market thats exactly what the buyer would probably do anyway.:(
 

Vader

Member
Mixed Farmer
No one seems to see long term value.
Had a few ppl look at the herd and comment they wish they had cows like them.
But then want to buy for less than meat value...
I mean if its a good cow with a cracking heifer calf and in calf again, then to me 2500 is not expensive if you think got a cow, heifer to keep for breeding and maybe another good heifer to keep inside it.
To me the calf inside is a freebie.

I bought pedigrees with heifer calfs at foot and in calf myself for more than that and still thought good price and got plenty more breeding stock out of the cow.
 
No one seems to see long term value.
Had a few ppl look at the herd and comment they wish they had cows like them.
But then want to buy for less than meat value...
I mean if its a good cow with a cracking heifer calf and in calf again, then to me 2500 is not expensive if you think got a cow, heifer to keep for breeding and maybe another good heifer to keep inside it.
To me the calf inside is a freebie.

I bought pedigrees with heifer calfs at foot and in calf myself for more than that and still thought good price and got plenty more breeding stock out of the cow.
It's the same with bulls, I had someone tell me a bull at 3k was too expensive.
They're worth close to 2k to kill.
The guy said he wished his cows were like the bull's mother..... 🤷‍♂️
 

Anymulewilldo

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Cheshire
No one seems to see long term value.
Had a few ppl look at the herd and comment they wish they had cows like them.
But then want to buy for less than meat value...
I mean if its a good cow with a cracking heifer calf and in calf again, then to me 2500 is not expensive if you think got a cow, heifer to keep for breeding and maybe another good heifer to keep inside it.
To me the calf inside is a freebie.

I bought pedigrees with heifer calfs at foot and in calf myself for more than that and still thought good price and got plenty more breeding stock out of the cow.
Maybe because long term view is a big gamble whereas the short term profit from splitting is pretty certain? By the sound of it you’ve answered your own question?
I’ve never sold cows and calves for the reasons you have stated (although my cattle aren’t quite in the same league quality wise) the calf is always worth more too me than someone will give me as an outfit. (Hence I buy heifers - 3rd calvers with calves at foot as main method of herd replacements) I’ll bid £150 more for a cow that’s back in calf as long as it’s too the right bull, but that’s all. Too many things can go wrong before the calf hits the deck and makes 2 weeks old. I’d carry on as you are and split them yourself. Why share the profit? 🤷🏻‍♂️
Although I must admit I’m too soft too cull in calf cows. If there’s a chance I can get a limousin bull out of her she will stop. Calve down and run with the yearling heifers so as to avoid the bull. Wean early and cash when they are in peak condition. 👍
 

Werzle

Member
Location
Midlands
I havent seen anybody thats been disappointed with the price they have received for cows and calves this year, they have had £100's more than they have been worth. I would get them into market.
I usually watch them come in the ring and think as they stand on the day the cow wouldnt make £900 in the fat and calves worth £300 in the calf auction so i will bid £1500-1600 , and the bloody things make 2k+. If im only buying things to breakeven i might as well leave the money in the bank!
 

Vader

Member
Mixed Farmer
I havent seen anybody thats been disappointed with the price they have received for cows and calves this year, they have had £100's more than they have been worth. I would get them into market.
I usually watch them come in the ring and think as they stand on the day the cow wouldnt make £900 in the fat and calves worth £300 in the calf auction so i will bid £1500-1600 , and the bloody things make 2k+. If im only buying things to breakeven i might as well leave the money in the bank!
900 for a fat cow?.? That's not much.
What breed is that?
 

Anymulewilldo

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Cheshire
900 for a fat cow?.? That's not much.
What breed is that?
We aren’t all on pure beef cows… far more cull beef cows at 800-1000 than 14-1800. If I can get mine up near 900 I’m well satisfied. That’s first/second cross continental x dairy. I appreciate the quality of calf you can get from a pure or near pure beef cow but I’ll stick too my crosses. 😉
 

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