Early bull sale prices?

[hgb]

Here in Alberta the early bull sales have started, a couple of them are ones we have attended before, at Lloydminister and north east of Lacombe. Time did not allow us to attend and was wondering if anyone could give a general sales report of any bull sales so far. Thanks

[pandiana]

I heard Creech's averaged $2500 down from $3100. I was told Triple S was around $2800.

[Bruce14]

D Bar C Red and Black Simmental and Angus Bull Sale at Lacombe:

47 Simmental Bulls averaged $3118
4 Black Angus Bulls averaged $2375

[grassfarmer]

Triple S, Pandiana? do you mean Lazy S at Mayerthorpe? It said on the radio that sale averaged $3100. Triple S red angus sale is later in the spring or is there another triple S sale (the shoot shovel and shut up sale perhaps? ;o))

[cowman]

Well with those kind of prices it is pretty apparent that there is no shortage of cash in the cattle business! Perhaps things aren't as bad as we all make it out to be?
Kind of hard for the politicians to be handing out money when the cattleman doesn't show any need?

[Bruce14]

What those prices tell me is there are still some out there see a future for the beef industry in Canada. People who realize that it will be tough but are committed to maintaining the quality of their herds. The bulls they buy this year will produce the calves that sell into one of the hottest markets we have ever seen.

There are many mixed farms that have been hit harder on the grain end by rising inputs and record fertilizer prices combined with low grain prices yet they seem to put a crop in every year. I don't hear of a lot of them not buying fertilizer so why would we expect them to think $3000 is unthinkable for a bull which will be used for more than one year.

All bull sales will not be as good as the sales mentioned above but I am happy for those people who have received those prices and glad their customers are able to see the bright future the beef industry has once we get over this hurdle.

This has nothing to do with cash floating around the cattle business and everything to do with people determined to get through this somehow.

[raymondb]

You still need CASH to be that determined to pay those prices for bulls. The buyer could have got the same bull for alot less if they would not have bid so high. I agree with cowman-looks like the cow/calf guy still has alot of cash. Boy do we ever send mixed messages.

[grassfarmer]

I agree with Bruce 14, Things are tough just now but we must look to the future. I will be buying a bull next week and I see it is a chance to save some money - buy a better quality bull for less money than I paid last time. Besides if you are running 100-200 cows and need a bull this year the difference between paying $2000 and $3000 will be the least of your worries at the moment.

[Bruce14]

That's exactly right grassfarmer. We will never be able to buy as much quality for our dollar as this year when it comes to buying bulls.

I have heard some people talking of doing the bull swapping thing and that's fine as long as you know what all you are getting besides the bull. Make sure that bull has a clean bill of health, no Trich, BVD etc. and passes a semen test.

Are you taking a bull home or a wreck that will cost you many times more?

[bombay_43]

Do either one of you raise bulls to sell by chance?
I can't see paying those kind of bull prices either! Market dropped another .10 on feeders today in NE Alberta. Can't justify paying that much for a bull and anyone who lives strickly off the farm can't either! 800 lb. calves selling for .51 today! You are not breaking even anymore!

Maybe you boys were wise enough to sell last fall? Those of us who back ground and sell in Jan., Feb. or Mar., must have optimism and believe in the industry, or we would have bailed a long time ago. Business as usual, and hope for the best right? Well if things don't change soon, you're going to see some pretty terrible wrecks!

Many can't hang on until ....when? The new report says years!

Optimism and hoping to maintain a good quality herd at these prices, won't carry you too far! Remember what they say about hope! HOPE IN ONE HAND, AND CRAP IN THE OTHER, AND SEE WHICH HAND YOU GET MOST IN!