Calf sales and the economy

[simtal]

Sure looks like this slow economy isn't slowing down the steer world.  I've heard of several calves that sold for atleast 45K in SD.

 

[Davis Shorthorns]

I dont think that it is hurting the top end, but it is hurting the bottom end.  People just arnt going to spend that extra 1,000 bucks and ship them home.  When you are spending 45 grand on a steer you really dont do it because you are worried about how much it will cost.

 

[Will]

Our more expensive calves have continued to sell good.  In the past we always have lots of people looking for those $1000-$1500 calves.  These people work off the farm and are having a hard time.  They are not looking as much this year.  Instead of feeding 2-3 they are feeding one or none.

 

[shortyjock89]

I know we've cut back our show string by about half, and don't really do county fairs or very many jackpot shows anymore.  Going to State Fair, Jr. Nationals, NAILE and a couple Beef Expo's and AGR's are expensive enough....lol.  We've even stopped buying more cheap calves, and spent about the same money on two calves, and sold more calves than we usually would.  The top end will always be there, but there is a bigger gap between the big shots, and the little guy, especially at county and regional shows.

 

[C-CROSS]

Our top end sold well and the lower end sold well seems to us the middle of the road was the hardest hit.

 

[oakbar]

Locally, our buyer traffic has been very slow this year.  I think the top end will still sell well---but the calves selling over 20,000 are still a very small part of the total market.  Many 4-H families are going from 2-4 calves to 1 or 2 this year or even staying out of the beef projects all together.  Seems like it might be a good year to tell the 4-H families to look at bred heifers to show in cow calf or prospect classes next year!!  There are sure a lot of herd reduction sales going on where you might be able to pick up some pretty darn good breds for quite a bit less than usual!!