| Author | Content |
Hineni
Paris, TN (Zone 6b)
February 11, 2009 7:32 PM Post #6124913
| Howdy,
Today I viewed my first cattle auction, online (I'm working hey, I can't go in person!) I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT...LOL! I can't understand the auctioneer, and it *appears* that they start high and go low, which is different from other auctions I've participated in. They have a board that shows # of head (varies from 1-4 so far), average weight for the group if it's a group, and then the single weight for single calves. Is the price for the entire calf?
Is there a Cattle Auction Book for Dummies? A primer somewhere? I'm curious as I need to know how much is a decent price for a 400-500 lb calf to purchase for slaughter in a month or two.
So much to learn so little time (on lunch hour now)! |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
February 11, 2009 7:40 PM Post #6124945
| You're ahead of me, Hineni, sorry to say. Some here may know, but I think you may get quicker results from the farm forum...I've seen far more cattle posts there. |
Hineni
Paris, TN (Zone 6b)
February 11, 2009 7:49 PM Post #6124976
| Okay, I'll link to it from there, if I can figure out how. Seems like a busy place for poultry though :) Thanks Grownut. |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
February 11, 2009 7:51 PM Post #6124983
| And a few goats and sheeps and such...I don't think we're quite serious enough for the big stuff...Luck!! |
Kydaylilylady
Waddy, KY
February 11, 2009 8:40 PM Post #6125174
| Usually at the yards they like to have groups of feeder steers because the buyers are looking to fill a pot belly trailer. They'll run a pen of calves in and give the average weight of the calves so the buyers have an idea of what they're looking at. Usually if you send a solitary calf to the yards you get skinned alive because the buyers will practically steal it as compared to you selling multiples of well matched calves. They like to see calves all the same color, preferably black, and relatively well matched in size. They want steers that have been dehorned and healthy looking. You'll get docked for bulls, heifers and horns. Now why they don't like other colors than black is beyond me other than the Angus people have done a fine job of brainwashing the public.
The buyers pay so much per pound of calf on the hoof. I'm not sure if they take the average weight times however many are in the pen times cents per lb. or if they run the entire group across a scale and get a total weight and it's them times the cents per lb.
They usually do try to start the calves out at a high price and if they get no bids they keep dropping the bid price down until someone bids. Basically at that point the real auction and bidding starts. Some cattle auctions can be quite entertaining, especially some of the purebred auctions.
Janet |
Hineni
Paris, TN (Zone 6b)
February 11, 2009 8:58 PM Post #6125251
| Thanks daylilly - so when they start at 85, they mean 85 cents per pound, not 85.00 per calf? I saw in the groups people buy only one, which was removed, then the auction continued for the other three and whatnot. It's very confusing! |
Kydaylilylady
Waddy, KY
February 11, 2009 9:09 PM Post #6125283
| 85 cents a pound or $85 per hundredweight. Now that's usually with feeder calves. If it's something like 3 day old dairy calves it could indeed be $85 per calf. I don't know what 3 day old calves are bringing right now but $100-$150 for a newborn Holstein calf wouldn't actually surprise me. |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
February 11, 2009 9:20 PM Post #6125326
| Wow. Gettin' educated!! Thanks to BOTH of you!! |
Kathleen
Panama, NY (Zone 5a)
February 11, 2009 9:24 PM Post #6125348
| Man, $100- $150 for a Holstein calf would surprise me. We got $4.50 for the last bull calf we sold. I think the only heifer we sold last year brought $100. A couple years ago bull calves were higher than that and heifer calves were in the $600 range. |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
February 11, 2009 9:26 PM Post #6125356
| I want a calf but I'm afraid of the auctions...Jersey...ours has been bred 2ce and still no bananas. Had we not had ice storms and now wind, she'd've been to the vet already... |
patrob
Goldthwaite, TX (Zone 8a)
February 12, 2009 2:02 AM Post #6126512
| Yes some auctioneers are difficult to understand. Normally, if a single animal is in the ring it will be stated "by the head" or "weigh it" before theauction begins. The posting of weights is just a convenience, mostly for the sellers. An experienced cattle buyer can look at a pen of 10 calves andguess the weights within 5 to 10 pounds each.
Often if one animal in a group is a little different, the auctioneer will call that you are 'buying choice" so that the winning bidder may take only one or all. If one animal seems to have a problem, a buyer may ask that it be cut out of a group.
If you hear a buyers name called with a number attached, that buyer is keeping the animals he buys sorted in the pens. An order buyer may be buying for several feedlots and needs the animals separate for delivery.
No, I am not a buyer. I just got interested in reading the thread and had to get involved.
Another thing you may see (or hear) is a seller call P.O. meaning Pass Out. The seller has decided that the price is too low, and that he will keep those animals. The auction company will charge the same fee as it would for selling the animals.
Robert |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
February 12, 2009 3:03 AM Post #6126757
| Thanks much for chiming in!! Great info to have in any case! |
Hineni
Paris, TN (Zone 6b)
February 12, 2009 3:26 AM Post #6126862
| LOL Robert, PO'd is probably what my DH would be if I overpay for a calf :D
Thanks to everyone - now more questions to see if I understand this. My questions are in *** beneath the sales results***
Here are the top sellers from last week:
CALF Sold by: Delores Shannon, New Market
Bought by: Eastern Livestock, FOR 106.00 cwt
***So this calf sold for 106.00 per hundred lbs of weight, correct? (example: 300 lb calf = 318.00) ***
COW Sold by: Henry Parton, Gatlinburg
Bought by: Williams Cattle Co.,56.50cwt
***If this cow weighed 1000 lbs., she sold for 565.00?****
BULL Sold by:Ernest Bentley, Johnson City
Bought by: Brown Packing Co. FOR 64.50 cwt.
*****If bull weighed 1500 lbs., 967.50?***
HEAD COW (this one was self explanatory as far as price...LOL) However, I don't know what *head* cow means?
Sold by: Julie Rankin, New Market
For: $650.00
Range: $375.00 to $650.00
Donkeys: 25.00-50.00
Thanks for bearing with my 'noob' questions ya'll :) |
Kydaylilylady
Waddy, KY
February 12, 2009 1:10 PM Post #6127702
| I would say that head cow means price per cow. That cow sold for $650. Usually those cows are heading back to the farm as a brood cow. You'll see the stockyards sometimes have special sales and they'll sell cow/calf pairs or have special heifer sales. These animals are going back into someone's herd. |
Nebraska_Jewel
southeast, NE
February 12, 2009 4:53 PM Post #6128638
| Hineni - I'm sorry I can't remember - are you buying a calf to grass feed or will grain feed? The reason is ask is that I don't know about grass feeding; however, to finish a steer with grain, you almost need two. Two will compete to eat and they eat better. We have grass fed but finished on grain. I also recommend that you do some checking (neighbors, extension office, etc. ) and buy direct from a cow/calf producer. When you buy direct, it my feeling, there is a little bit more rapport between you two. Honesly, we are always a little worried when there is one lone calf sold by itself as to what may be wrong with that calf.
Good luck! |
patrob
Goldthwaite, TX (Zone 8a)
February 13, 2009 4:07 AM Post #6131699
| Reports of sales in the papers are of two types. The USDA has professional reporters at some of the major sales in easch area. Their reports usually are shown as averages, or for arange of cattle. Those listing single animals, or small numbers are put in the paper by the auction company, and chosen to attract sellers to a coming sale.
Every auctioneer developes his own style and chant, and is sometimes chosen by the auction company because the buyers like the way he works. Just for entertainment sake, if you get a chance attend a sale put on by a registered breeder (sometimes advertised as a yearly production sale, or annualstocker sale.) The auctioneers chosen for these are often of "star Quality".They really work the crowd for bids (and are often paid on a percentage basis. Another advantage to this type of sale-- if it is a well known herd, or large herd-- they sometimes serve a lunch before the sale.
Robert |
Hineni
Paris, TN (Zone 6b)
February 13, 2009 3:59 PM Post #6133190
| Thank you all so much for making this less confusing. Alas, DH has put the kebash on any large animal purchases until we actually own property :( He just can't justify additional pasture rental costs for a full year prior to putting an animal on the pasture, plus cost of cow/calf pair, plus pasture improvements - all for milk and meat in this economic environment. Sigh.
I can get good milk every two months and organic grass-fed beef is available in some places.
Darn, you just can't argue with plain old economics when it goes on a balance sheet. Pffft. But hey, when the time does come at least I'll have an inkling of what I'm doing...haha! |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN (Zone 4a)
February 14, 2009 12:45 AM Post #6135296
| I looked at all the Craigslist listings for TN. There are some nice animals for sale. Look under for sale - farm/garden.
Even a very nice 20 x 80 greenhouse for only $750.00.
I need a trailer, none around here, tons down there. Do I have to make a trip ?
Bernie |
Kydaylilylady
Waddy, KY
February 14, 2009 1:24 PM Post #6136992
| Bernie, you don't have to go as far as TN for greenhouses. Not as cheap as $750 though but a lot of them have the fans and heaters included for $3000 or so down here. We see them pretty often in the Lexington and Louisville Craigslist.
Janet |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN (Zone 4a)
February 14, 2009 2:13 PM Post #6137146
| Hey, Janet,
Still waiting for your kitchen floor plan so I can give you an idea what you should be spending.
Have a Great Day!
Bernie |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN (Zone 4a)
February 14, 2009 2:25 PM Post #6137197
| How do you like this ?
We have been working on this ladies house for a while now. Still have a Fireplace mantel, a bookcase/desk, a bathroom shelf unit, a fancy kitchen window & some storage units in her porch.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Kydaylilylady
Waddy, KY
February 14, 2009 3:03 PM Post #6137352
| I know... (Sigh) it's sitting here on my desk with your address on a sticky note. I've just got to get it in the mail... The story of my life.
I like the style of the top cabinets there. Not as keen on the base unit . I could never be a white cabinet person though. Somehow I always gravitate towards the wood finishes. Sounds like she's putting you through your paces though. I haven't figured it out yet but I want some type of cabinets and drawers built into the space under my stairs in the living room. I saw that once in Southern Living and thought how good a use of essentially wasted space it was. |
BonnieGardens
Clermont, FL (Zone 9a)
July 16, 2011 5:28 PM Post #8696465
| Just a point of info. Recently we took our registered angus bull to a cattle auction near our home.
He weighed 2,300 lbs. We got $1,500. for him which broke my heart. You see they don't bring as much at an auction as they do at a registered only bull sale which are not near here. He was 9 years old and after I talked to a few ranchers they informed me he was too old to be a good herd sire. They should have seen the beautiful caalves he sired. All our stock we registered but to a lot of people they don't care and then some wanted the papers. We had to cut down as feed is VERY expensive. The bull was my husbands pride and joy. I stayed only to see him sold and cried like a fool all the way home as he went to a slaughter house. He was born on our place.
We usually sold 2 yr. olds on the hoof to anyone that wanted one for their freezer. FDA forbids selling meat thats wrapped and cut and not been inspected by them first. After they purchased we would then take the animals along with one for us to our butcher and he would cut and wrap theirs along with ours and they would go and pick it up. We have never fed any growth hormones or finished them off on grain. They have pasture pellets and good hay during the winter. Summer they get fat on grass. Personally I can't see where angus beef is any better than any other type of beef. I just like knowing what they have been fed cause they are feeding us also.
We are down to 5 animals now and I guess hubby is going to stick with that no. as he is getting old and fences have to be maintained, pastures fertilized and cows fed daily during winter.
You can't beat FRESH meat or vegies. Besides we love all of our animals. Good luck to anyone that wants to raise their own, it's great.
Bonnie Davis |
Haystack
Ferndale, WA
July 17, 2011 4:16 AM Post #8697133
| WOW Bonnie, I would have cried also. What a horrible price. I can tell you they bring a lot more than that around here...I agree with your comment about Angus beef also...How and what they are fed is what makes great meat or lousy meat...Hay |
catmad
Pelzer, SC (Zone 7b)
July 17, 2011 7:28 AM Post #8697342
| Bonnie, I'm so sorry. We had a Black Angus (unpapered) bull calf that was an unexpected bonus with his Mom, who was a rescue. We couldn't get to him to band or cut, so despaired of actually finding him a home. With great good luck, we found someone who actually wanted a young bull. After he went through a round pen and two fences when seperated from Mom and sister, we loaded the whole bunch and sent them off together. I could get the girls back, but it's so much simpler now that there are only three pet steers, that I think we'll just let it go. The hay bill is almost manageable.
So, they got a great deal, and I got a break on the bills. I wish you could have found the same... |
BonnieGardens
Clermont, FL (Zone 9a)
September 6, 2011 9:21 AM Post #8795900
| Wouldn't you know, now that we don't really have any to sell I have been informed that next year the price of cows is going to skyrocket due to drought in Texas. I feel for those large ranchers who have been selling them off due to no pasture. Feed has gone up quite a bit also. Guess we will always have a few cows as long as we can take care of them cause it keeps us zoned agriculture. Without that our property taxes would be out of sight.
My husb. loves his cows so thats what matters. They keep our pasture eaten down and looking good. I really would miss them if we got rid of all of them. We are what they call hobby farmers so its fun. Take care all and keep raising a beef for yourself if you can. Bonnie |
porkpal
Richmond, TX
September 6, 2011 10:15 AM Post #8795971
| The Extension service has been recommending that everyone sell all their cows and buy more after the drought is over. I just wonder where we are going to have to go to find them - not in Texas! I am planning to hang onto mine and just not add any replacements this year. |
