calf prices

[jhwis]

Newborn black calves are going for anywhere from 1000-1225 around here. I'm not complaining, but I just scratch my head and wonder how that ever will pencil out.

 

[Not db4600]

Newborn black calves are going for anywhere from 1000-1225 around here. I'm not complaining, but I just scratch my head and wonder how that ever will pencil out.

Long Prairie ran some through 2 weeks back that were $1,375.
It’s interesting to hear Ag Radio talk about prices, packing, market demand, depleted herds, screw worms, and beef in general.

 

[rrlund]

They hit $1375 here a few weeks ago. I don't know? My cows calves, I wean them in the fall and feed them out. I don't have to buy any.

 

[jhwis]

They hit $1375 here a few weeks ago. I don't know? My cows calves, I wean them in the fall and feed them out. I don't have to buy any.

Right, but what would be the break even point on calves that high priced? Good lord.

 

[Steve in VA]

Newborn black calves are going for anywhere from 1000-1225 around here. I'm not complaining, but I just scratch my head and wonder how that ever will pencil out.

Sales here in the Shenandoah are likewise higher than folks remember seeing before.

 

[rrlund]

Right, but what would be the break even point on calves that high priced? Good lord.

I don't know. You'd have to know the profit margin and ratio between hundred dollar calves and eighty five cent fats. I wouldn't want to be risking it right now, but somebody must have some contracts to guarantee a profit. Isn't there some government handout that does that now?

 

[jhwis]

I don't know. You'd have to know the profit margin and ratio between hundred dollar calves and eighty five cent fats. I wouldn't want to be risking it right now, but somebody must have some contracts to guarantee a profit. Isn't there some government handout that does that now?

Yes, there is an insurance program similar to crop insurance, but that is for feeders. I bet there's one for fats too.

 

[cjunrau]

Newborn black calves are going for anywhere from 1000-1225 around here. I'm not complaining, but I just scratch my head and wonder how that ever will pencil out.

Yep and in fall we will see $25-3400 for them.
I got $2300 for jersey X Angus at 625 lbs in February

 

[farmersamm]

The reason cattle prices are high....................

MSN

Some real prices.......................

Publication | Tulsa Livestock Auction - Tulsa, OK | ID: ff3655257 | USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System

usda.library.cornell.edu

Personally...................I'm looking for this to blow up. Screw worms are only a cattle pot away from bringing it into the country.

 

[farmersamm]

https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lsddcbs.pdf

 

[Aaron SEIA]

Gal I know just topped the sale barn last week with some 3 weight steers. Over $6 a pound. Got over $5 for the heifers. Fats are going to have to stay high for that to work.
AaronSEIA

 

[560Dennis]

Wow ! I dont follow prices. So interesting post to say

 

[EFV]

Living in dairy country I wonder if these prices for what used to be a throw away by product(bull calves)
are what's fueling new dairy barn construction ? Something penciled in at 2-3 hundred dollars bringing
in a thousand dollars more than that would really improve the bottom line !
Secondly ,how do end use consumers and producers execute a market plan( puts and calls) to make
these prices not act like a time bomb ? They will end and I remember the 70's when per animal losses
match today's profits.

 

[Fred Werring]

Newborn black calves are going for anywhere from 1000-1225 around here. I'm not complaining, but I just scratch my head and wonder how that ever will pencil out.

And nobody (mostly) is retaining heifers at these prices.
So the US herd is gonna continue to shrink.

EDIT: I was thinking beef heifers when I wrote this, don't think in dairy terms much.

 

[rrlund]

And nobody (mostly) is retaining heifers at these prices.
So the US herd is gonna continue to shrink.

I sure hope so. I didn't suppose Holstein bred heifer prices were so high. Our old MMPA field man is in our tractor club. He's still working and knows what's going on. He said they're bringing $3000-4500.

 

[Fred Werring]

Gal I know just topped the sale barn last week with some 3 weight steers. Over $6 a pound. Got over $5 for the heifers. Fats are going to have to stay high for that to work.
AaronSEIA

Paris KY?

 

[jhwis]

I sure hope so. I didn't suppose Holstein bred heifer prices were so high. Our old MMPA field man is in our tractor club. He's still working and knows what's going on. He said they're bringing $3000-4500.

I just wonder what 5 weights will bring in the fall. 2k I imagine

 

[Tx Jim]

I hope the prices hold until after Fall because I'll a few calves to sell in October. I just can't imagine trying to make a 313# calf make any $$$$$$ when it cost $6 per #.

 

[jhwis]

I hope the prices hold until after Fall because I'll a few calves to sell in October. I just can't imagine trying to make a 313# calf make any $$$$$$ when it cost $6 per #.

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[G1000VISTA]

And nobody (mostly) is retaining heifers at these prices.
So the US herd is gonna continue to shrink.

All the diaries around here keep their heifers unless their twins. Haul baby calves twice a week and can count on both hands the heifers I've hauled in last two months.