Thoughts On Cow Prices?

[ASRG]

Just wondering how people see bred cow/heifer prices playing out this fall?
It seems to me there is the potential for a lot of fairly cheap "cow hay" out there and pastures are fairly lush this year (at least in my area)?
Interest rates are reasonable?
IF...the calf prices are decent this fall I suspect there could be a few willing buyers looking to add to their cow herds?
What do you think a good angus type bred cow weighing in that 1400 lb range, 4-8 yrs old might be worth? Bred to purebred black angus bulls, start calving April 1st?

[greybeard]

I'm hoping the equity has returned to my cow herd ant thy will be worth as much as they were 10 yrs ago.
Unfortunately your phrase "few" willing buyers might apply in this area. I know more that are cashing in and going straight grain than looking for more cows.

[T.N.T.]

The 4 year old cows i'm guessing good decent cows should be in that $1400 to $1500 range,at least thats what we are looking to spend to expand again this fall anything over that we will wait to see whats up for offers as pairs.

[smcgrath76]

A lot of factors at play. A very small
cow herd, lots of political and
financial insecurity globally, hungry
and growing population with increasing
disposable income, quite a bit of feed
around...
They may hit $2000 as some are
predicting, or they may be around the
$1200 mark. We are hoping for $2000
around here and always planning for
$500.
The one thing around here with all the
available feed, is that many who still
have inventory can manage it a bit to
try to capture some better prices if
they need to. Not everyone is so
fortunate.

[perfecho]

Sorry, but just couldn't resist........they may be worth more if bred to another kinda bull............. ;-0

[T.N.T.]

This spring i was thinking they might hit $2000 this fall,but it seems even farmers are getting to lazy now and they don't want to do anymore work then they have to.There will be only a few real buyers in this bred cow market this winter,and those will be the ones that have there feet firmly planted and aren't afraid of work.Thats why i don't think the price will be as high as i originally thought,just not enough people to fill those shoes!!

[smcgrath76]

Another breed? Such as...LOL!!!

[burnt]

T.N.T - "...aren't afraid to work...", not sure what you mean by that. The cow numbers are down dramatically in the past few years, but it's not because people are afraid to work.

What I do find, though, is that there are fewer people all the time who are willing to work for nothing (or perhaps even pay for the privilege) as many of us have for the past 7, almost 8 years.

Plus the incentive of turning a bit of hay/pasture ground into cropland and getting paid more for a lot less hours - why wouldn't a guy do that if the option is there?

[ASRG]

I'm really wondering just how good the bred market might be when I see lots of "dispersals" advertized for pairs asking $1600 to $1800 in the western producer and on the Alberta Ag site? A $1700 pair translates into a pretty cheap cow after you sell that $1.40 X 600 lb = $740 calf?.....that is a pretty cheap cow!
As far as black angus bulls.....to each his own....over the years I've used Char/Sim/Gelvieh/ Red Angus....I like the black angus the best.

[SADIE]

Interesting thread---I intend to be a player this fall again How aggressive is another question. It appears the "blume" is off the bred heifer market heading into fall.

1)What is the yearling market, calf market?
2)cull cow and bull market continues?

3)Available hay and forage---huge surplus of roughage--alot with rain. Standing fields--owners are begging someone to hay it.

4)2 day holiday through the north eastern Saskatchewan last week. Fields and fields of canola---empty pastures, and no beef cows.

Around the Saskatoon area and Gardiner Dam area again more cow herds are completely gone or are going this fall.

Price is up to "Sell", Age of operator or son/daughter taking off farm job, grain sector strong, The Ear tag regulations---Retention problems continue. Hearing the fines of $1300.00 and the section 176 of the animal health act--a concern. Increased desire to spend some more time down south during the winter.

Had a Saskatoon Fall Fair meeting in June for the commercial show and sale with concern of "no herds" not enough players to even run a show this fall. Lack of sponsorship continues, Lack of interest.

Saskatoon area has talk of 4 feedlots not even bringing in calves this fall. Pens are still a washed out mess, manure pileup problems continue with environmental concerns.

Just a mixture of factors coming into play.