To buy or not to buy

[Rossymons]

...that is the question. I think I'm over thinking the job so wondered what the collective thought?

I can get my hands on a decent number of well reared Native X weaned calves. Do I buy now or do I wait?

First cut is in the bag for winter, 2nd cut isnt worth cutting yet but grazing it won't do any harm. Weaned calves aren't going to need a lot outside at the minute.

My main thought is therefore buy. If I have to feed early, fine as they're going to eat less now than in 6 months. If I have to replace in January/February and it's too expensive I will have decent beasts to sell rather than a lorry load of smaller cattle that are given away.

Anyway, thoughts please

 

[Werzle]

...that is the question. I think I'm over thinking the job so wondered what the collective thought?

I can get my hands on a decent number of well reared Native X weaned calves. Do I buy now or do I wait?

First cut is in the bag for winter, 2nd cut isnt worth cutting yet but grazing it won't do any harm. Weaned calves aren't going to need a lot outside at the minute.

My main thought is therefore buy. If I have to feed early, fine as they're going to eat less now than in 6 months. If I have to replace in January/February and it's too expensive I will have decent beasts to sell rather than a lorry load of smaller cattle that are given away.

Anyway, thoughts please

Sounds like you have already covered the pros and cons.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

If they are the right money get them bought

 

[gone up the hill]

...that is the question. I think I'm over thinking the job so wondered what the collective thought?

I can get my hands on a decent number of well reared Native X weaned calves. Do I buy now or do I wait?

First cut is in the bag for winter, 2nd cut isnt worth cutting yet but grazing it won't do any harm. Weaned calves aren't going to need a lot outside at the minute.

My main thought is therefore buy. If I have to feed early, fine as they're going to eat less now than in 6 months. If I have to replace in January/February and it's too expensive I will have decent beasts to sell rather than a lorry load of smaller cattle that are given away.

Anyway, thoughts please

They need to be sub £300 head to buy now!

You are going into winter and feed costs will be hellish next winter, trade for weaned calves bought now and sold in Jan will be very poor, if you are going to buy them now you will need to keep them untill end of April/ start of May next year to sell them and get a half decent price when grass fever hits!

 

[Samcowman]

...that is the question. I think I'm over thinking the job so wondered what the collective thought?

I can get my hands on a decent number of well reared Native X weaned calves. Do I buy now or do I wait?

First cut is in the bag for winter, 2nd cut isnt worth cutting yet but grazing it won't do any harm. Weaned calves aren't going to need a lot outside at the minute.

My main thought is therefore buy. If I have to feed early, fine as they're going to eat less now than in 6 months. If I have to replace in January/February and it's too expensive I will have decent beasts to sell rather than a lorry load of smaller cattle that are given away.

Anyway, thoughts please

If the price is right and you give them some cake whilst they are out then should be ok. But I wouldn’t sell,if that’s what you want to do until turnout next spring when they would be about 12 months and would go on well for the buyer from there.
It is a bit of an awkward time of year for weaned calves because they will need cake all the way through and won’t be able to make the most of grass at this age.

 

[Samcowman]

They need to be sub £300 head to buy now!

You are going into winter and feed costs will be hellish next winter, trade for weaned calves bought now and sold in Jan will be very poor, if you are going to buy them now you will need to keep them untill end of April/ start of May next year to sell them and get a half decent price when grass fever hits!

Sub £300 .
is the rearer doing it for the company of the cattle.

 

[gone up the hill]

Sub £300 .
is the rearer doing it for the company of the cattle.

I saw some smart weaned things sold on Sat. averaged £190 ish a head!

Thou to be fair the baby calve trade had also taken a sharp dive downwards as well on the same day!

 

[Samcowman]

I saw some smart weaned things sold on Sat. averaged £190 ish a head!

Thou to be fair the baby calve trade had also taken a sharp dive downwards as well on the same day!

No money in it at that and you couldn’t make a business rearing cakves for that price. You are right though weaned calves through market do always seem cheap but not without risks.

 

[Martyn]

Buying weaned calves always looked more profitable than the calf pens, we always recon you either sell well growing at 40 days or don't bother to 16-18 months.
Wait until wet January/Feb especially if it's a dear winter there will be bargains around, the 1st week of march is often good for buying as tenants need rent money in the bank for the 25th..

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Are you familiar with the sell/buy concept? @unlacedgecko

 

[unlacedgecko]

Are you familiar with the sell/buy concept? @unlacedgecko

Did you mean to tag me?

I'm aware of it from a couple of podcasts, but haven't totally got my head around it yet. I think Wally Olsen's marketing school would be great to do.

Ranching for Profit is another school I'm really keen on.

 

[Samcowman]

Did you mean to tag me?

I'm aware of it from a couple of podcasts, but haven't totally got my head around it yet. I think Wally Olsen's marketing school would be great to do.

Ranching for Profit is another school I'm really keen on.

Isn’t sell/buy just knowing where your stock are valued and selling them if they are overvalued and replacing if they are undervalued. I think that’s the basics of it.
both of those courses would be good to do.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Isn’t sell/buy just knowing where your stock are valued and selling them if they are overvalued and replacing if they are undervalued. I think that’s the basics of it.
both of those courses would be good to do.

Yeah I think so. But I'm a slow learner.

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Did you mean to tag me?

I'm aware of it from a couple of podcasts, but haven't totally got my head around it yet. I think Wally Olsen's marketing school would be great to do.

Ranching for Profit is another school I'm really keen on.

Yeah I figured you would have an idea about it. It’s what samcowman said as far as I can tell. You know your feed inventory, know your money inventory, just need to find a class of livestock that is undervalued and has a high value of gain.

I’m fascinated so will be attending Doug Fergusons marketing school in 1 week.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Yeah I figured you would have an idea about it. It’s what samcowman said as far as I can tell. You know your feed inventory, know your money inventory, just need to find a class of livestock that is undervalued and has a high value of gain.

I’m fascinated so will be attending Doug Fergusons marketing school in 1 week.

It relies on a very liquid livestock inventory though. I can see that being an issue with TB in UK cattle.

 

[Dead Rabbits]

It relies on a very liquid livestock inventory though. I can see that being an issue with TB in UK cattle.

Thought the same.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Thought the same.

But, there are areas which are TB free. And other stock classes are available.

It does seem to require a lot of time sat in the sale barn though. That is not currently part of my skill set.

 

[Rossymons]

Funnily enough TB has just scuppered my deal as they went down last week and have a GAMMA pending now.

 

[gatepost]

There is nowt wrong with the concept of buying and selling, you do however need a very good eye for stock, and the time to stand at the ring, some make a very good living at it, I'm not certain it's a skill learnt in a class room though.

 

[Kiss]

Like anything

bought right it’s already half sold