Developing replacements
Everyone develops heifers differently. I think the key is to understand what yours truly need, based on your management, marketing, and goals. We breed cattle to work in their environment with minimum inputs. We don't want to select against performance, but we are circumspect about how much performance can cost, and try to supplement only when it is economically advisable. We read BCS and manure as our guide. After a decade of this work, our cattle are smaller than they started, more fertile on less inputs, more docile, better uddered and ultimately more profitable. They excel in grass finishing and direct market programs.
Females for Sale
If you are looking to start or grow your low input cow herd, we open up our entire herd for your interest. I tell visitors, "Everything is for sale", even if I have to protect a handful with blush worthy pricing. I try and price 90% of my cows at levels I would be willing to pay for them. From open weaned heifers, to 6 year olds in their prime, to proven teenagers, we have something for everyone who's interested in Southern Grass Cattle. Our business is breeding cows that work for you, not the other way around. While these cows graze unimproved perennial pastures mostly of Bahia, Bermuda, and a selection of broadleaf forbs, they have been selected to thrive in the heat and humidity. We have sent dozens of cattle into fescue country and they tend to do as well or better there than here. We have blended line-bred, old line Angus cows with those that thrived here for the last 50 years. Our cattle are trained to single wire temporary electric fences, and have been selected for docility and easy handling. They also are aggressive graziers of just about anything that grows.
Spring calving Pairs-
We have first calf heifer and cows pairs available until exposure on 5/01, priced at $3600, volume deals available. (gate cut 10 or more are $3450) This might be the last year to pencil returns on high priced cows/pairs before the cure for high prices comes along. Check your local sale barn sale sheet in case you think these prices are high for breeding stock quality pairs.
Spring calving Pairs-
We have first calf heifer and cows pairs available until exposure on 5/01, priced at $3600, volume deals available. (gate cut 10 or more are $3450) This might be the last year to pencil returns on high priced cows/pairs before the cure for high prices comes along. Check your local sale barn sale sheet in case you think these prices are high for breeding stock quality pairs.
Bred Heifers and cows
We had a a few dozen cows (mostly heifers and 3 year olds) that failed to breed or breed back on time under nutritional stress that we still think will make cows that will work under normal working conditions. They are bred to our Casey Beefmaster bull (Gus) and our home raised Registered Red Angus bull 505J, a son of our flush cows we acquired from Red hill 5 years ago. She has left a string of good sons and daughters here. Breds will be available after preg check around the end of April for $2350 ( groups of 5 or more or gate cut). Prices will go up as gestation ages. These are just above our local stockyard prices.
Open heifers
100 spring born heifer calves (born 2/01/24-4/15/24) available until 4/15/25 at bull exposure. Price $2075 (groups of 5 or more or gate cut. Volume discounts available). Confirmed bred heifers available 8/15/25. Prices available in June.
How much to pay for breeding stock?
Anyone looking into getting into the cow business to make money should have a business plan. Am I selling at the stockyard, pot loads, to value added buyers, as breeding stock, or into direct market as beef? Know your expected costs so you can estimate your profits. Buying cheap cows can be a way to make money, but it sometimes can lead to long term problems that aren't easy to fix. My family has spent decades selecting cattle that work in our environment, and I have been honing these cattle for over a dozen years to make them extremely efficient as grass finishers. Spend as much money as your business plan allows to get you as close to your goals as possible. Buy from a breeder who doesn't take better care (ie. more inputs) of his/her cows than you plan to. Buy from as close to your environment as you can. These are a few of the basic rules of importing breeding stock.
2/05/2023--We are entering a period of the cattle cycle that should see very strong prices for 18-30 months. Prices will increase as calf prices skyrocket. Be aware that buying at the height of this run will not make you money. Take advantage of any value propositions, but be aware of the risk and reward of purchasing solely on price. Prices could taper or fall off a cliff like they did in the Fall of 2015. Feel free to reach out to me regarding specific recommendation regarding how to take advantage, and not get taken advantage by, the cattle cycle.
11/01/23--Price update. As stated earlier, prices are strong. We will see fluctuations up and down but should see the trading range quite profitable til at least 2025, as the extended drought is pushing back heifer retention and many older ranchers in the East are 'cashing out'. I expect prices to peak sometime in 2024 and potentially stay high until 2026, but the crystal ball can be clouded by outside noise and the state of the consolidated packer industry.
2/23/24--The crystal ball has been working so far. Prices continue to soar. Look for value propositions. There is still time to sell really expensive calves if you can get them raised, weaned, and moved down the road. A $1500 weaned calf pays a lot towards the price of an expensive pair or heavy bred cow. Unless the unforeseen happens, prices should hold firm through at least spring/summer of 2025, with plenty of room for volatility down and back up, like last fall.
7/31/24- With the exception of a few weeks of retreat, this market has continued to be extremely Bullish. When prices get this high for this long, worry creeps in that we could lose it. Fundamentally, heifer retention has not started yet and therefore the highs should be still in the future. One can still pay top dollar for bred cows if you can sell that calf in 2025 before we lose any steam. Certainly outside pressures could affect beyond the fundamentals, so be cautious in your optimism but presently I'd guess we are looking strong through at least through most of next year.
12/22/24- Amazing that we are still at the top of the cycle! Heifer retention still hasn't begun in earnest, the Mexican border has been temporarily closed due to the screwworm, and the Trump tariff threats to Mexico and Canada tend to suggest this bull market might continue to run through 2025 and perhaps 2026. Take profits where you can, invest in purchases that can add value and have a positive ROI, and remember that the cure for high prices is high prices.
3/08/25- While prices remain sky high, my stomach is starting to get nervous. Fundamentally, we still should have a strong '25 but I worry about dark forces from a consolidated industry. Hopefully we can ride this wave through '26 but I think risk must be assessed. LRP insurance is a good hedge against volatility in the marketplace and can be a great tool to protect your investments.
3/26/25- After watching the local market reports for the past weeks and months, we have edged our prices up to follow what is being paid at the local stockyard. I'm continued to be surprised by the steady rise beyond where I thought the market would settle. Folks out there have some level of confidence that purchases today will create positive returns. Cull cows and bulls have sold locally for $1.50-$2.00+ per pound!
2/05/2023--We are entering a period of the cattle cycle that should see very strong prices for 18-30 months. Prices will increase as calf prices skyrocket. Be aware that buying at the height of this run will not make you money. Take advantage of any value propositions, but be aware of the risk and reward of purchasing solely on price. Prices could taper or fall off a cliff like they did in the Fall of 2015. Feel free to reach out to me regarding specific recommendation regarding how to take advantage, and not get taken advantage by, the cattle cycle.
11/01/23--Price update. As stated earlier, prices are strong. We will see fluctuations up and down but should see the trading range quite profitable til at least 2025, as the extended drought is pushing back heifer retention and many older ranchers in the East are 'cashing out'. I expect prices to peak sometime in 2024 and potentially stay high until 2026, but the crystal ball can be clouded by outside noise and the state of the consolidated packer industry.
2/23/24--The crystal ball has been working so far. Prices continue to soar. Look for value propositions. There is still time to sell really expensive calves if you can get them raised, weaned, and moved down the road. A $1500 weaned calf pays a lot towards the price of an expensive pair or heavy bred cow. Unless the unforeseen happens, prices should hold firm through at least spring/summer of 2025, with plenty of room for volatility down and back up, like last fall.
7/31/24- With the exception of a few weeks of retreat, this market has continued to be extremely Bullish. When prices get this high for this long, worry creeps in that we could lose it. Fundamentally, heifer retention has not started yet and therefore the highs should be still in the future. One can still pay top dollar for bred cows if you can sell that calf in 2025 before we lose any steam. Certainly outside pressures could affect beyond the fundamentals, so be cautious in your optimism but presently I'd guess we are looking strong through at least through most of next year.
12/22/24- Amazing that we are still at the top of the cycle! Heifer retention still hasn't begun in earnest, the Mexican border has been temporarily closed due to the screwworm, and the Trump tariff threats to Mexico and Canada tend to suggest this bull market might continue to run through 2025 and perhaps 2026. Take profits where you can, invest in purchases that can add value and have a positive ROI, and remember that the cure for high prices is high prices.
3/08/25- While prices remain sky high, my stomach is starting to get nervous. Fundamentally, we still should have a strong '25 but I worry about dark forces from a consolidated industry. Hopefully we can ride this wave through '26 but I think risk must be assessed. LRP insurance is a good hedge against volatility in the marketplace and can be a great tool to protect your investments.
3/26/25- After watching the local market reports for the past weeks and months, we have edged our prices up to follow what is being paid at the local stockyard. I'm continued to be surprised by the steady rise beyond where I thought the market would settle. Folks out there have some level of confidence that purchases today will create positive returns. Cull cows and bulls have sold locally for $1.50-$2.00+ per pound!
