cattle question

[seth30]

One of the land owners that lets me hunt his property hinted at me getting into the cattle buisness with him.  This will be a small herd of 20.  Looking at craigs list  for calves I see most listed at 1200-1500 bucks.  What  profit is normal for a full grown cow.  The cattle im looking at is either going to be angus or herferd.  Thanks for any insight into this

[Gringo31]

What  profit is normal for a full grown cow.

Profit?  I don't think there is a "normal" profit....



As far as your question....I have a few for you.  What is the end goal?  Is it to eat pasture, eat your own beef or is it a true business model where you are looking to make money?  What are your plans in the winter?  Is this east or west side?  Facilities, equipment, fences.............etc....

[Killmore]

Go to the toppenish livestock web site to get a idea on prices, If you got pasture you may make a few bucks but if you keep them through the winter and feed hay then that's a different story.

[iRem]

Look for cattle auctions to purchase calves if you want to raise them up and maybe make a profit! Get your self a Bull and have a few ladies to make a few babies!! It all depends on how many acres you have to work with, food source, predation, facilities and so on! Good luck!!

[50CalJim]

One of the land owners that lets me hunt his property hinted at me getting into the cattle buisness with him.  This will be a small herd of 20.  Looking at craigs list  for calves I see most listed at 1200-1500 bucks.  What  profit is normal for a full grown cow.  The cattle im looking at is either going to be angus or herferd.  Thanks for any insight into this

My advice is don't be buying Calves for 1,200-1,500 Dollars off Craiglist. They don't even come close to costing that much.

[Woodchuck]

  Go to an auction 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Check the auction off of auburn enumscratch rd. The sales pavilion.  I think they have stuff like that.

[50CalJim]

I use to buy Bull Calves in the spring from a Dairy farmer yrs ago dirt cheap & sell them in the fall & make some easy cash.Granted my Dad had plenty of land for me to use so my overhead was pretty low except for some Bottle feeding for a while. My Girlfriends dad just bought 2 from a Dairy Farmer & I think he paid 50 bucks each.

[Gringo31]

Yep, only problem with that is that most don't want to bottle feed a baby for 60 days....

[farmin4u_98948]

Cattle are also sold on online auctions. If you are looking for several animals look at herd dispersals. 

[Happy Gilmore]

we raised many a dairy reject and they were all mmmm good.. they got the .22 about the time they'd tick Dad off. One Jersey we got ran him over one day. Bambi went to the butcher later that day.

[shoot-em-dead]

I thought that making money in the cattle business was a myth.

[seth30]

Thanks for the inputs.  There is two 20 acre pasutrs that are overgrown, and the cattle will rotate between the two of htem.  We wont start until spring time so the winter will be no issue this year.  On whidbey island which is on the wet side of the state

[HORSEPOWER]

So the plan is to purchase steers just to feed out and resell as finished? Or is to be a cow/calf operation?

[seth30]

pretty much steers

[wraithen]

I take it all those e-6b's don't bug the animals much? Couldn't be a louder jet that goes any slower and not stall out. 

[seth30]

you mean the EA6B with The pratt and whitney J52 engine pointed at a 45 degree angle

[seth30]

It wont the property is almost in green bank.  I have never heard a jet there

[HORSEPOWER]

OK, I'll assume grass fed rather than grain fed.  Are you planning on taking them to the sale after they are fed out or advertising to sell on the hoof or on the rail with the choice of halves and quarters?

[GEARHEAD]

theres abit more to it than just buying some steer calves..20 acres seems small for 20 cows, probably have to supplement with hay, and other feed. do ya plan on simply fattening up steers you buy and sell them, or buying 10 cows, keeping them at that number and selling off the calves every year. unless you plan straight up organic, your gonna want to think about shots and other medical related issues for them, which means a squeeze shoot, corals etc etc. if the other guy has his *censored* together on this plan and you simply throw some cows in with him and he mostly cares for them, then maybe its a good deal for you.  it  ;)worked for me..

currently cattle prices are at an all time high, great if your selling. like others said, buy at auction. there are guys that you can pay to transport your cows from the lot, for a fee of course. you will also need to call these guys up to haul when ya sell, unless yeah buy a cattle trailer. you will also need to consider branding and registry of course, the state wants its piece of the pie too.

[CAMPMEAT]

The ranchers I know up here got out of the business. They ran maybe 300-500 head and made no money. They each have several thousand acres. 365 a year, 24/7. Not a good idea.... AVOID it like the plaque.

[GEARHEAD]

im with Camp......unless your simply throwing in some animals, that he cares for and you collect a percentage on the sales.......yeah...avoid it. my buddy runs alot of head, commits all his time to them, when not working and is missing out on raising his kids, and frankly i think he barely breaks even after all is said and done and paid for and repaired and paid for again.

[Gringo31]

There is some sound advice on here.  If he has grass to burn, avoid all the trouble, "rent" it to someone that already has cows for half a beef.  They maintain.   

[seth30]

Thanks for all the advice, the plan is to raise them and then slaughter.  I dont know all the ins and outs yet, thats why I asked and got some great insight on it.  Thanks a lot   I myself only plan (pending on many factors)  on buying a few and then paying a perctance to the land owner after the slaughter.

[Gringo31]

I would do some quick math to (again, depending what your goal is) to look at price to buy and don't forget the cut and wrap costs compared to what you can just go out and buy.  Your margin will/should be your average daily gain.  I'd guess on the island you can feed them for 4-5 months tops?  That big tall stuff has little nutritional value....I'd suggest mowing it if you expect to see any real good gains.  You may want to look at your "investment" in the event one dies as well.....

One more suggestion is to buy 12-14 month old freemartin dairy heifers, they are cheaper than the beef breeds and eat very well.  There on the island I know of one guy who is raising heifers, you might be able to buy direct from him??  PM me if you need a name or number.

Good Luck!

[6x6in6]

Thanks for all the advice, the plan is to raise them and then slaughter.  I dont know all the ins and outs yet, thats why I asked and got some great insight on it.  Thanks a lot   I myself only plan (pending on many factors)  on buying a few and then paying a perctance to the land owner after the slaughter.

Auction house a little bit closer to you than Enumclaw.
http://www.eversonauctionmarket.com/

[oldcamper]

You have got to be cidding, 1200 -1500. Don't do it. I buy bred cows for 600 and calves can be picked up for less then 100. Depends on how  much time you have on your hands and if you are willing to travel to get them. Also helps to have your own livestock trailer.

The price you are reading is the private sale rate that they know somebody will pay. Good luck.

[walleye1]

If you can by breed  cows for 600 hundred ill take everyone he did say Angus

[oldcamper]

Yes, I purchased two Santa Gratrudis cows bred with black angus for 600 and 650. within 7 months I had 4. Let em grow and sold all 4 for 1200+ each.