Making money with show calves, there really is a profit?

[AAOK]

Can you make money with a Junior Project? Isn't that what it's all about?  I was not raised in an Ag family, and hadn't heard of a livestock show until I was in my mid 20s. When my kids first started in 4-H, I was lead to believe that ALL of these "projects" were designed to better prepare my children for the real world. Everything I can think of from the Illustrated Talks, to the Dress Review, Talent Contests, AND LIVESTOCK had a real world economic agenda. When FFA rolled around, the main concern was making sure that all things lead to a meaningful and positive Supervised Agriculture Experience Program. It was all about record keeping, and making money; teaching young adults responsibility, economics and basic business practices.  

Here is a quote off the FFA website:
Information provided in this record book will be valuable for transacting SAEP-related business, assessing learning experiences and growth of the SAEP, and reporting SAEP achievements when applying for employment and FFA degrees, awards, and scholarships.

Our younger daughter received her State FAA Degree, American FFA Degree, and was also awarded the SE District Star Farmer.  I knew nothing about these awards, but understood it all had to do with having a profitable business, and maintaining good, accurate records.  Her business was nothing great, but by the time she graduated(1999), her records showed a $24,000 net worth.  This little business was Beef Production, more specifically, raising and selling Show Calves.  $24K is certainly no great wealth to amass over a 4 year period, but it does prove to me that most, if not all these Junior projects have the potential of profitability.  It's all a mater of the goal set forth at the beginning.

By the way, we all had a lot of fun too!!!

 

[simtal]

I'm glad there are many that do well but I think that profitability is becoming the exception rather than the rule.  I'm really surprised that some FFA kids can get judges to believe that showing cattle can be a beef enterprise.  They won't believe the prices that are paid for calves here were I live (IL).

 

[afhm]

I want to know where you can find great ones for 2-3k?  Thanks.

 

[renegade]

If you have been at it long enough - your own back field lol! 
But the steer in my avatar was 700 and we made that back like 4 times in our sale (we have so many animals that most dont go for more than 1.60)  and that calf was top ten would have been higher with more finish

 

[shortdawg]

Profit - Spending time with my kids I may not otherwise have spent with them

        - Watching their confidence in themselves grow with each show

        - Knowing they are with me instead of ???????????

        - Seeing them learn responsibility, meet new people, make new friends, tour the country and actually consider me a friend
          instead of just their Old Daddy!

 

[doubled]

Shortdawg

Here Here - agree totally (clapping)

 

[Show Dad]

Profit - Spending time with my kids I may not otherwise have spent with them

         - Watching their confidence in themselves grow with each show

         - Knowing they are with me instead of ???????????

         - Seeing them learn responsibility, meet new people, make new friends, tour the country and actually consider me a friend
           instead of just their Old Daddy!

And learning to make money. (We do have a market economy)

I guess they could wait around for the government check!

 

[kanshow]

(clapping) (clapping)Shortdawg!  Well said!! 
(clapping)

Does anyone think it makes a difference if you are primarily showing heifers vs steers?   

 

[simtal]

I think there's huge difference.  Steers (while not always) I think you can make money on more consistently, because you always sell.  Heifers could have a lot of money put into them and still do nothing.  Especially buying young open heifers.  Thats probably more risk than any steer because the pay out takes at least 3 years.  Sure you might lose your butt big time on steer, but you can limit your losses sooner.

 

[kanshow]

I would think you'd have more potential for long term & thus more profit with heifers.  Steers are a shorter term investment. You really only have one chance at profit/loss, then he is gone. 

 

[krissy94]

if i do make a profit off this, its going towards college anyways, but does it really matter as long as you have fun???