Developing replacements
Everyone develops heifers differently. I think the key is to understand what yours truly need, based on your management, marketing, and goals. We breed cattle to work in their environment with minimum inputs. We don't want to select against performance, but we are circumspect about how much performance can cost, and try to supplement only when it is economically advisable. We read BCS and manure as our guide. After a decade of this work, our cattle are smaller than they started, more fertile on less inputs, more docile, better uddered and ultimately more profitable. They excel in grass finishing and direct market programs.
Cows for Sale
If you are looking to start or grow your low input cow herd, we open up our entire herd for your interest. I tell visitors, "Everything is for sale", even if I have to protect a handful with blush worthy pricing. I try and price 90% of my cows at levels I would be willing to pay for them. From open weaned heifers, to 6 year olds in their prime, to proven teenagers, we have something for everyone who's interested in Southern Grass Cattle. Our business is breeding cows that work for you, not the other way around. While these cows graze unimproved perennial pastures mostly of Bahia, Bermuda, and a selection of broadleaf forbs, they have been selected to thrive in the heat and humidity. We have sent dozens of cattle into fescue country and they tend to do as well or better there than here. We have blended line-bred, old line Angus cows with those that thrived here for the last 50 years. Our cattle are trained to single wire temporary electric fences, and have been selected for docility and easy handling. They also are aggressive graziers of just about anything that grows.
Spring calving (JAN-FEB) commercial 3-1s will be available in AUG. Bred cows available after weaning later in Fall. Most cows available are black Angus and Angus cross. We also have registered Angus and Red Angus pairs. They will be priced according to quality and current market.
Spring calving (JAN-FEB) commercial 3-1s will be available in AUG. Bred cows available after weaning later in Fall. Most cows available are black Angus and Angus cross. We also have registered Angus and Red Angus pairs. They will be priced according to quality and current market.
Open Heifers
Open long yearling heifers will be available until breeding later this spring. Both registered and commercial Angus, red angus, and baldy heifers. 85 available. Prices start at $1850/each for 5 or less and pick of the litter. $1750/each for 20 or more. These prices are expensive, but only $200-$300 over what the stockyards are currently paying. There are some young cows you can build a herd around in this group. They just need time to prove themselves. Registered cows will be priced according to quality.
Bred Heifers
Will will expose heifers on 5/01/24 for February calves next year. They will be checked in August and available afterwards. Check back for pricing. Volume discount will be available.
White Oak Pastures herd for sale
Will Harris was downsizing last year and I purchased a herd from him. I myself am overstocked this year after retaining heifers and am looking to sell the majority of the herd. These no nonsense commercial cross cows raised fine calves on my poorest pastures in the heat of the summer and fall. (Will call's them his 'cracker cattle'. They would trace back through several generations of Harris cattlemen) They are 5-10 years old and have never failed to wean a calf. I left them open a few extra weeks to breed them for a NOV/DEC calf. They will be preg checked in late April and available afterwards. 1-9 cows confirmed bred. ($2100/each) 10-29 cows ($1925/each) 30+ cows ($1850/each). They are bred to Pinebank Southeast 17c (AAA +*18705172) and Blackwell of Ironstone 2135. (Reg: AAA 20615744). The sire's should tighten up the gene pool greatly on the offspring as both herds are intensively linebred and almost entirely closed for the past 70 years. Daughters off of these cows would be a great starter herd combining generations of southern adapted cattle with the great carcass, fertility, and structural components of two of my favorite line bred program. (Pinebank and Wye).
How much to pay for breeding stock?
Anyone looking into getting into the cow business to make money should have a business plan. Am I selling at the stockyard, pot loads, to value added buyers, as breeding stock, or into direct market as beef? Know your expected costs so you can estimate your profits. Buying cheap cows can be a way to make money, but it sometimes can lead to long term problems that aren't easy to fix. My family has spent decades selecting cattle that work in our environment, and I have been honing these cattle for over a dozen years to make them extremely efficient as grass finishers. Spend as much money as your business plan allows to get you as close to your goals as possible. Buy from a breeder who doesn't take better care (ie. more inputs) of his/her cows than you plan to. Buy from as close to your environment as you can. These are a few of the basic rules of importing breeding stock.
2/05/2023--We are entering a period of the cattle cycle that should see very strong prices for 18-30 months. Prices will increase as calf prices skyrocket. Be aware that buying at the height of this run will not make you money. Take advantage of any value propositions, but be aware of the risk and reward of purchasing solely on price. Prices could taper or fall off a cliff like they did in the Fall of 2015. Feel free to reach out to me regarding specific recommendation regarding how to take advantage, and not get taken advantage by, the cattle cycle.
11/01/23--Price update. As stated earlier, prices are strong. We will see fluctuations up and down but should see the trading range quite profitable til at least 2025, as the extended drought is pushing back heifer retention and many older ranchers in the East are 'cashing out'. I expect prices to peak sometime in 2024 and potentially stay high until 2026, but the crystal ball can be clouded by outside noise and the state of the consolidated packer industry.
2/23/24--The crystal ball has been working so far. Prices continue to soar. Look for value propositions. There is still time to sell really expensive calves if you can get them raised, weaned, and moved down the road. A $1500 weaned calf pays a lot towards the price of an expensive pair or heavy bred cow. Unless the unforeseen happens, prices should hold firm through at least spring/summer of 2025, with plenty of room for volatility down and back up, like last fall.
2/05/2023--We are entering a period of the cattle cycle that should see very strong prices for 18-30 months. Prices will increase as calf prices skyrocket. Be aware that buying at the height of this run will not make you money. Take advantage of any value propositions, but be aware of the risk and reward of purchasing solely on price. Prices could taper or fall off a cliff like they did in the Fall of 2015. Feel free to reach out to me regarding specific recommendation regarding how to take advantage, and not get taken advantage by, the cattle cycle.
11/01/23--Price update. As stated earlier, prices are strong. We will see fluctuations up and down but should see the trading range quite profitable til at least 2025, as the extended drought is pushing back heifer retention and many older ranchers in the East are 'cashing out'. I expect prices to peak sometime in 2024 and potentially stay high until 2026, but the crystal ball can be clouded by outside noise and the state of the consolidated packer industry.
2/23/24--The crystal ball has been working so far. Prices continue to soar. Look for value propositions. There is still time to sell really expensive calves if you can get them raised, weaned, and moved down the road. A $1500 weaned calf pays a lot towards the price of an expensive pair or heavy bred cow. Unless the unforeseen happens, prices should hold firm through at least spring/summer of 2025, with plenty of room for volatility down and back up, like last fall.