Innisfail cow sale

[SADIE]

R somer--I agree with you entirely

"I expect bred cow prices to continue to rise".

So many factors to consider when one makes the decision "what is the fair price to pay for a bred animal".

Closing out the 2011 calender year there are bred heifer sales and bred cow dispersals all across the country.

Being involved in a "mixed farming situation" and following the commodities there appears to be "Stagnation" or downward pressure on the grain sector going into 2012 and the new crop year. Lentils (Reds clearfield) are sitting with Australia pulling off a good crop. Prices low and most producers have it in the bin. Canola boom is under pressure and new canola seed record highs.

Lets look again at the cow-calf sector of a mixed farming operation.

1)Cull cow---and presently graining them till into 2012. What is her value presently and could be in 2012 with some flesh? Heard already $1000 plus for cull cow.

2)Open heifer at preg-checking, sold as open, good condition, up to $1200.00.

3)steer calves weaned off heifers bought last year 2010. Weaned 750-800lbs range. Selling Dec 12 at SLS weaned 60 days & at the 850 plus range.
What is that value??

4)What was the price of the finished carcass last spring and summer (Steers on the rail) worth? Hearing around the $1800 mark?

5)What is the price of "open replacement heifers" at present and going into winter spring 2012?

Summarize:

1)Reasonable and ample feed in most areas of the country.

2)Pasture availability all over the countryside.

3)Good to excellent salvage cow value.

4)good to strong feeder steer & feeder heifer and upwards indication of the open replacement heifer market.

5)Caution within the grain sector with apparent downward pressure on the grain markets.

What is a reasonable price for a bred cow? What is a reasonable price for a bred heifer (Reputation operation) with a longer timeline to work with?

Tomorrow is a large sale of bred heifers in Vermillion (Westman's).

MCQUANTOCK is in Vermillion on Dec 10 with another 800 head on offer (bred heifers)

[ASRG]

Sadie: I agree it all looks sweet! However........what happens if a "wreck" takes place?
Say FMD or say a meltdown in the world markets?
Will your government be there for you?
NO THEY WON'T! Very apparent in their attitude on BSE?
It's your money. Don't ever think this government is ever going to back you up.......because they have clearly shown, they won't! .......again it is your money...spin the wheel and take your chances!

[kato]

ASRG, your take on it is common among those of us who've lived through the roller coaster ride since 2003. I have lost count of the number of things that "would never happen" that actually did happen. As far as I can see, there are lots of things that could come up and blow it all to pieces, but who really knows the future. Maybe the something that "would never happen" this time is that things will get better and even improve. Wouldn't that be nice? Hard to believe, but nice.

I can see prices getting some higher, but they won't come without a lot of sleepless nights.

[SADIE]

Had to create some discussion on this Sunday. The bottom line to me is I want to continue to make use of my land whether it be "grains" or "livestock".
In the last few years land in this area has jumped "leaps and bounds"----will it stay up? could it fall? To me the best Mutual fund I could have invested in.

I believe some of us are in the same "age boat"----late 50s. I am not ready to "retire" yet.

Do you sit and wait for down prices, do you do the management thing and keep your cow-herd current? Bring in a few breds (young) and cull the "olds".

I could be 5-6 years away from having my own complete cow-herd dispersal sale.
My operation is to keep sourcing "bred heifers" ---that way I know my herd is current and has some youth to it.

I guess there is the feeling of "getting up in the morning, breathing fresh air and going outside and doing something that is your own on your own land, own property.

I always liked calving season anyway.

The grain side expansion is scary to me looking at the huge machinery expense to keep expanding in that direction

[ALLFARMER]

rsomer

Good to see you back!

Glad to see this beef page following bred cattle
sales closely this winter.

[grassfarmer]

What are you talking about ASRG? these are the tough western cowboys you're talking too that don't want Government involvement or money. You mean cowboys lie awake at night sweating over whether their Government will back them up? Another Alberta illusion shattered for me!

[ALLFARMER]

I completely agree with your take on the grain
sector Sadie. It's big money to be a grain farmer
now. My neighbor just this fall bought a 350k
case 500hp quadtrac now ordered a 400k
Bourgault drill. One of the partners just bought 3
partial farmable quarters for 500k.

[grassfarmer]

Straight Simmental dispersal in Rimbey last Friday (not papered but essentially purebred cattle). Sale report shows bred cows $1300 to $2200, Bred heifers $1675 to $2000. They would be considered a reputation herd as they sold some bulls every year at good prices. Still quite expensive cows to go into a commercial operation IMHO.

[ASRG]

grassfarmer: I never considered myself a cowboy. Don't like horses or cowboy hats! I'm a farmer and a small c conservative.
The government has a job taking care of trade and health and safety issues...that's what we pay them to do...and they weren't doing their job?
My cows were doing their job and I think I was trying to do my job. I never fed my cows any other cows! I fed them only things the government had deemed safe like mineral and vitamins....and yet I had to take the hit for a government mistake?
I never imported any cattle from countries that had BSE? The government knew that was a high risk but they rolled the dice anyway? I shouldn't have to pay for their risky behavior!
Let's be very clear here? The various beurocrats and politicians never suffered any pain for their bungling......you and I did....we paid the price?
If they had done the right thing and made it right with us, I might have a little more faith in them. The fact is they haven't and continue to avoid their responsibility by fighting the BSE lawsuit?
I'm not just sure where I read it, but apparently all the safeguards that were put in place to keep foot and mouth out of Canada have been removed(again risky government decisions) and it is probably just a matter of time until we get FMD. Will the government be there? Will they be acting responsibly for the actions they have taken? NO THEY WON"T! They have already shown they won't do their job in the BSE mess! That is why I am leery of this "new" cattle bonanza.

[ALLFARMER]

Ya no cowboy here also. 50% of all farm
accidents a year in Alberta are horse related.