Added some livestock to the kingdom

[jon f mn]

A couple days ago the least gilt of this batch had her litter, 10 total, one born dead and one died later leaving 8 nice pigs.

That makes a total of 57 pigs born from 6 new gilts. Not a bad first round. Of those 11 were either born dead or died. I sold 12 to the local Hmong folks at around 80lbs to roast for their new year celebration. The other 34 I'll raise to fat and try to sell direct in the spring. Any not sold direct will go to the sale barn.

Yesterday I went to the sale barn and picked up some more cattle too. I wanted to expand my herd to sell 10 beef every spring. Right now I have 9 to go this spring. I bought 2 holstien 1st calf heifers that were culled for some reason and a red white face fat heifer that will go in March. The holstiens weighed 1300 and 1600 and the white gace weighed 1700.

Another black one that a bit smaller and will go in June, she weight a bit over 1000lbs.

Also picked up this red holstien weaned calf. Prices on all these have dropped some, might just be the time of year tho.

Also picked up this injured calf, he's about 350lbs. Not sure what his issue is for sure but looks like broken ribs. They couldn't get a bid on him so I took him for $.02/lb, or $9.72. If he lives good, if not, I have coyote hunters that will give $100.00 for him.

I will still look for 6 more bottle or weaned calves for the 2027 sales and add some more mid size for 2026. Want to be up to 10 per year.

 

[jhwis]

How much you think you will make on the whiteface you just bought going this spring? I always feel it's risky unless the margin is great. For me, the feeder calf prices are too high to justify keeping and feeding a calf for an additional 18 months with little money gained. Good for you if people will pay out the nose for a half, etc. They won't around here.

 

[matthies]

Need to get a heat lamp on those pigs.

 

[jon f mn]

How much you think you will make on the whiteface you just bought going this spring? I always feel it's risky unless the margin is great. For me, the feeder calf prices are too high to justify keeping and feeding a calf for an additional 18 months with little money gained. Good for you if people will pay out the nose for a half, etc. They won't around here.

assuming I estimated the hanging weight right I should get all 6 paid for and make around $2000 for the large 3 in March. Then I'll have the smaller black that will sell in June for $2500 or so depending on growth and the young one to sell in 2 years. Then the injured one which is a crap shoot for spring 2026.

 

[jon f mn]

assuming I estimated the hanging weight right I should get all 6 paid for and make around $2000 for the large 3 in March. Then I'll have the smaller black that will sell in June for $2500 or so depending on growth and the young one to sell in 2 years. Then the injured one which is a crap shoot for spring 2026.

To be more specific for the red heifer, I paid about $1800.00 for her. She weighs 1700lbs now. If she adds 100lbs in 4 month and weighs 1800 then, she should hang 900lbs. I get $3.50/lb on hanging weight, so she should pay me $3150.00 in 4 months. That will net me $1350.00 less feed for 4 months. Should be fair profit in that.

 

[jhwis]

To be more specific for the red heifer, I paid about $1800.00 for her. She weighs 1700lbs now. If she adds 100lbs in 4 month and weighs 1800 then, she should hang 900lbs. I get $3.50/lb on hanging weight, so she should pay me $3150.00 in 4 months. That will net me $1350.00 less feed for 4 months. Should be fair profit in tha

 

[jhwis]

3.50 plus processing? That's a good return.

 

[jon f mn]

3.50 plus processing? That's a good return.

Not so much in the recent past. Last year I was at $3 and that was only a bit more than I could get at thee sale barn. Not enough extra to make it worth the hassle

 

[Buckhammer]

Nice looking and clean livestock.

 

[SweetFeet]

Need to get a heat lamp on those pigs.

Dad always hung a heat lamp over each litter of piglets.
We did too, when we raised pigs..

 

[john in la]

To be more specific for the red heifer, I paid about $1800.00 for her. She weighs 1700lbs now. If she adds 100lbs in 4 month and weighs 1800 then, she should hang 900lbs. I get $3.50/lb on hanging weight, so she should pay me $3150.00 in 4 months. That will net me $1350.00 less feed for 4 months. Should be fair profit in that.

The bigger question is do you feel you are putting out a quality product buying a cow at 1700 lbs that has been eating god knows what and selling it as hanging beef after having it on feed for only 4 months.
I know for me I would want someone to buy a feeder calf (500 to 900 lbs) and have it on feed up to slaughter size (1100 to 1400 lbs)

 

[jon f mn]

The bigger question is do you feel you are putting out a quality product buying a cow at 1700 lbs that has been eating god knows what and selling it as hanging beef after having it on feed for only 4 months.
I know for me I would want someone to buy a feeder calf (500 to 900 lbs) and have it on feed up to slaughter size (1100 to 1400 lbs)

The information that I have is that it takes 60-90 days for the meat to take on the flavor of a new ration. Also going from 900 to 1400lbs is only around 5 months on a finishing ration, so not that much different. I have done this every year when prices were down to add to what I already have nd have had no complaints so far.

 

[john in la]

The information that I have is that it takes 60-90 days for the meat to take on the flavor of a new ration. Also going from 900 to 1400lbs is only around 5 months on a finishing ration, so not that much different. I have done this every year when prices were down to add to what I already have nd have had no complaints so far.

Good Deal
Have never tried it your way so was just curious if quality was an issue.