what is a fair price for a shorthorn heifer that will win a few jackpots and compete at california sate fair i feel like alot of the prices are inflated really high like from sullivans and stuff i feel like i would have to morgage off my house to afford them haha
heifers and price
- Thread starter smo
- Start date
Help Support Steer Planet:
My advice is shop and shop hard! Buy em skinny, drive some miles and figure out if you want to win early or in the late spring summer because most of the 1s that win early dont get there in the end. Im not sayin that its not possible to win through but that takes alot of management. Also dont be afraid to go to the little guys because you can find some deals. We bought a monoply a couple years back for 1200 she was a no sale in a bid off and she was never beat in class and champion breed a few times sold her as a bred for 9750
C
cornish
Guest
depends on what your goal is, and if you want to buy mainstream genetics.
If you search around hard enough- you'll be able to find a deal here and there with the right people. You might have to put in some extra work to get there.
Here's two heifers that would be $1500-$2500 heifers from either me or a friend. Both are non-mainstream, averagely fitted, and averagely fed in the pictures. Matter of fact, the roan was never creeped- weaned, hauled 800 miles, clipped, started on feed, dewormed, and broke to lead all the week before picturing. She's a Sept- photo from April.
The other heifer is a July- basically had the same protocal-- but is 2 months older and was weaned 2 months prior...
If you search around hard enough- you'll be able to find a deal here and there with the right people. You might have to put in some extra work to get there.
Here's two heifers that would be $1500-$2500 heifers from either me or a friend. Both are non-mainstream, averagely fitted, and averagely fed in the pictures. Matter of fact, the roan was never creeped- weaned, hauled 800 miles, clipped, started on feed, dewormed, and broke to lead all the week before picturing. She's a Sept- photo from April.
The other heifer is a July- basically had the same protocal-- but is 2 months older and was weaned 2 months prior...
Attachments
AAOK
Well-known member
Most of the best Show Calves come from very small operators who don't want to consign to sales. We were in the business for 17 years, raised our own to Show &sold the rest to others for show. I never sold a calf for more than $3000. That would be about $5000 today for a State Champion. Take your time & don't be afraid to travel.
obie105
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2011
- Messages
- 780
I wob our state fair breed show a few years ago with a heifer that cost 800 she was green and small for her age but had all the right pieces. Look around and shop some but also be willing to put the work into one. Management plays a huge role with any calf a 20000 heifer can fall apart if in the wrong hands. Had a friend tell me once good ones are born everyday but the great ones are made. Theres alot of truth to that.
Bradenh
Well-known member
we decided the 6K average price here in texas for a shorty heifer was too high, and the demand/competition to afford a top one was more than that
So we got on good ole steer planet and arranged a trip half way across the country to georgia to pay a very affordable price for one that was truly bred right, i agree with what the others said. they are out there, just have to get out of the 'mainstream' market to find the affordable ones
So we got on good ole steer planet and arranged a trip half way across the country to georgia to pay a very affordable price for one that was truly bred right, i agree with what the others said. they are out there, just have to get out of the 'mainstream' market to find the affordable ones
Shorthorns4us
Well-known member
AMENmark tenenbaum
Well-known member
Once you have an idea what PHENOTYPE and what$ range you are in-Im glad to help-nothin in it for me other than jollies when a good one comes out of seemingly no-where.I know a few people here and there. However-the most realistic way to compete with a Shorthorn (cuz good ones stand out,and contrary to the black hided crap,they are very much in demand) is to get one almost there-and breed the calf thats a barn burner.There are a couple really good ones right now in Iowa,for example. O0
I would say if you got really lucky you may find a diamond in the rough fro $1500 but the $2500 range would be more of a possibility in my opinion. Most breeders including myself would rather get a good solid calf in the right hands in the $2500 range than sell one for $5000 that never gets fed right.
Doc
Well-known member
I sold a heifer for $2000. She went to some people in GA. She was never beat in class, won several breed champions and overall champs, then was named Grand Champion at 2010 GA National in Perry.
J
JTM
Guest
I agree with everybody else. If you look hard enough and know what you are looking at, you could find one that could compete in the $2,000-3,000 range. At the same time, you know that you are probably going to be up against people who spent $7,500 to $20,000 on their Shorthorn heifer. They are everywhere now... Good luck and hope you find one you are pleased with!
I'm asking $6,500 for this heifer right now. If that helps you any.
I'm asking $6,500 for this heifer right now. If that helps you any.
Attachments
OLD WORLD SHORTIE
Well-known member
I dont know where you guys are looking for these 6k calves in Texas. I can name 5 or 6 breeders that average around 3k to 2k for a competitive calf.
Bradenh
Well-known member
well 5 or 6 breeders isnt a whole lot considering most people consider the shorthorn heifer deal to be mostly controled by WHR when it comes to the really good ones and the genetics, it says here in the shorthorn country magizine that the average for the heifers was 6,887 (Call that 7k for easy terms) and the high seller was 35,000
just not many to be found around here that are priced right, I looked for a while trust me
Carry on with the topic, ;D
just not many to be found around here that are priced right, I looked for a while trust me
Carry on with the topic, ;D
shortyjock89
Well-known member
Just saying, the heifer that won Houston Jr. Show this year cost less than 4k the first time she was sold. She has also done well at a few jackpots in texas.
There are deals to be had at the big breeders as well. Two of the best calves I've ever bought both came from Sullivan's, and both cost less than 2500. Matter of fact, my little brother has a fall heifer at home that is bred right (Right Direction x SULL Rosemary 636) and looks great now, she'd bring a lot more than the 2k we paid for her if she was a spring born. Just do a little digging, places like Sullivans, Cates, WHR, and others have a lot more cattle than what are on their sales.
If anyone needs help finding Shorthorn cattle, in most any price range, don't hesitate to PM me.
There are deals to be had at the big breeders as well. Two of the best calves I've ever bought both came from Sullivan's, and both cost less than 2500. Matter of fact, my little brother has a fall heifer at home that is bred right (Right Direction x SULL Rosemary 636) and looks great now, she'd bring a lot more than the 2k we paid for her if she was a spring born. Just do a little digging, places like Sullivans, Cates, WHR, and others have a lot more cattle than what are on their sales.
If anyone needs help finding Shorthorn cattle, in most any price range, don't hesitate to PM me.
shorthornmn
Active member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2011
- Messages
- 42
I agree. There are definitely deals you can find at Sullivan's and other big breeders. Look for real young calves or calves that are very green (especially if you have some time before that first show) just make sure they are still put together right. Those younger calves are often the ones that look really good and fresh at state fair time. If you have a lot of time and patience and aren't looking for a calf for a younger or first year showman look at sale day hand outs and find calves listed as "Not for Young Showman". Yes these means there at least a little wild and upheaded, however with some time, patience, and a little TLC everyday you'll get her broke. And those heifers that are upheaded in the show ring ususally look pretty cool, especially if they are a good one.
My next piece of advice is to travel, but don't forget the people in your own backyard either. Go to as many sales as you can. Somewhere along the line you will get lucky! You might not have to find that calf that is young or green. Definitely go out of state, but make sure to look around close to home. Go to people that have registered cattle that you might not think of as having good show cattle. I have a family member that just has average cows and uses the everyday average joe bull, however it never fails every year he has one outstanding heifer and he doesn't have a clue how much she's worth. For example, I bought a Low % Simme from him for $1000 in '08. That next year in '09 she was never beat. She even beat Jake Bloomberg's Low Simme heifer to win Champion Low % Simme at World Beef Expo. We resold that heifer for a lot of money. Enough said.
My next piece of advice is to travel, but don't forget the people in your own backyard either. Go to as many sales as you can. Somewhere along the line you will get lucky! You might not have to find that calf that is young or green. Definitely go out of state, but make sure to look around close to home. Go to people that have registered cattle that you might not think of as having good show cattle. I have a family member that just has average cows and uses the everyday average joe bull, however it never fails every year he has one outstanding heifer and he doesn't have a clue how much she's worth. For example, I bought a Low % Simme from him for $1000 in '08. That next year in '09 she was never beat. She even beat Jake Bloomberg's Low Simme heifer to win Champion Low % Simme at World Beef Expo. We resold that heifer for a lot of money. Enough said.
