Sold two home raised bulls. Three years old. One weighed 1890(red angusX) the other 2140(char/simX). Got 68 and 67 cents/lb. for a total of $1362/ each. They were both AI calves out of good old cows. I valued them at $810 as fall calves the year they were born. They ran out with the cows their whole lives and never were penned or on grain. So I had three years of feed in them. Now I know what it costs me to feed a cow and even though last winter was pricey I still believe the total feed bill came to about $429 each for the three years. So barring pasture and salt I had $1210 in them. The first year they don't accomplish much but they have a lot of fun. By the second year they get out and breed a lot of cows and even more so in the third year. Then down the road they go and the next bunch comes along. Their genetics come from the best American bulls available and their mothers are proven range performers instead of pampered purebred pets. These bulls have excellent feet, throw excellent udders, and are not wild or mean.
Now consider if I bought a yearling of similar quality at say $2500. Still doesn't accomplish much in a multi-bull breeding pasture, costs as much to feed(less the first winter of his life), and still sells for $1362! So knock off one third of the feed bill($143) and he costs you $2786-$1362=$1424. Say he sired 60 calves over the three years=$23.73/calf. Which is cheap enough.
Your home raised bull actually pays you to breed your cows!!
Now I know this isn't for everyone but it can be very profitable if you make the effort. I started doing this about 20 years ago when I quit raising purebred bulls. My family was in the purebred business for 4 generations and I know how the game is played. A lot of times that pretty purebred should be a steer! And I know most breeders are reputable people but I believe they have no other option. They have to have numbers and they have to compete...or they will not be in business. They have to feed hard and they have to market hard and sometimes the true economic value of a bull has to be overlooked.
Now consider if I bought a yearling of similar quality at say $2500. Still doesn't accomplish much in a multi-bull breeding pasture, costs as much to feed(less the first winter of his life), and still sells for $1362! So knock off one third of the feed bill($143) and he costs you $2786-$1362=$1424. Say he sired 60 calves over the three years=$23.73/calf. Which is cheap enough.
Your home raised bull actually pays you to breed your cows!!
Now I know this isn't for everyone but it can be very profitable if you make the effort. I started doing this about 20 years ago when I quit raising purebred bulls. My family was in the purebred business for 4 generations and I know how the game is played. A lot of times that pretty purebred should be a steer! And I know most breeders are reputable people but I believe they have no other option. They have to have numbers and they have to compete...or they will not be in business. They have to feed hard and they have to market hard and sometimes the true economic value of a bull has to be overlooked.
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