I just bought another beef cow

[peternap]

The cattle auction here has been really bad lately. A friend who raises Black Angus needs a little extra cash for Christmas and I could use the meat for the kids mostly.

I told him I'd go .10 higher than the auction and he agreed to corn feed it for a month. Even having it butchered instead of doing it myslef, I'll get the usable meat in the freezer for 1.25 a pound.

Cash deal, helps him, helps me.....that's the way it's supposed to work I think!

[NM_Shooter]

Hey Peter,

Care to share some details on this?  We lease out our land to a rancher who puts about 100 units on, and I am considering buying one on the hoof from him next year.

Some questions for you...

1)  How are you going to come to terms on the price?  Does your buddy have scales?  Are you measuring live or dressed weight, or ? 


2)  What is your butchering cost?  Are you having them do all the work, or are you processing any of it yourself?  I think they make a killing on backstraps (easy work) and ribs (mostly bone, so the price is lopsided).  I don't mind paying labor rates for roasts and hamburger.

3)  Do the auctions buy based on live weight?  How do you find out what they are currently buying at?  I'm guessing there different prices based on species and health of the animal.

Any insight you could provide would be appreciated.

Tnx

[fishing_guy]

So that's where you've been Peter...Shooting the Bull....

(sorry, I couldn't resist)

Buying a whole cow or side of beef is the way to go.  Much better for less than you can find in the stores.  We have done it several times.

[peternap]

Hey Peter,

Care to share some details on this?  We lease out our land to a rancher who puts about 100 units on, and I am considering buying one on the hoof from him next year.

Some questions for you...

1)  How are you going to come to terms on the price?  Does your buddy have scales?  Are you measuring live or dressed weight, or ? 


2)  What is your butchering cost?  Are you having them do all the work, or are you processing any of it yourself?  I think they make a killing on backstraps (easy work) and ribs (mostly bone, so the price is lopsided).  I don't mind paying labor rates for roasts and hamburger.

3)  Do the auctions buy based on live weight?  How do you find out what they are currently buying at?  I'm guessing there different prices based on species and health of the animal.

Any insight you could provide would be appreciated.

Tnx

Redover Farms is the real expert here on Beef (and hogs) NM, so hopefully, he'll jump in.
I have never had one butchered before. I always did it myself but I also don't do that good a job. The cost from the farmer is live weight and he has scales.

The auctions pay on live weight as far as I know. The butcher is one that the farmer uses on a regular basis and he will work on a portion of the meat or cash.

You can check auction prices in the newspaper in most areas. I'm basing my costs on processed meat.

[StinkerBell]

 

What time do you want me over for dinner?

[Redoverfarm]

Way to go Peter.  At least you know what you are eating next year.  Not some used up dairy cow that can't walk.  

Just stopped in for a minute at the house to fire the stove and Pu some stuff for the cabin and checked the board.

Cattle sales are based on weight.  Usually the heavier the beef the less it cost per pound.  I think now that steers in the 800-1,000 range are in the mid to upper 70's.  You can judge the cattle prices by the price of corn.  If Corn is up then cattle prices are down and vice verses.

The farmer sell on the hoof @ pound.  There is about 40-45% waste on cattle when butchered.  So if you have a 1,000 pound steer then you would only get 400-500 pounds of meet.

The USDA has a site that gives the recent market sales.  Just go to them and find an area closest to you and you can see what they are going for in that area.  Here is Virginia's

http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/rh_ls148.txt

[peternap]

This is a young Angus John. Live weight is a little over 400 pounds now.
I'm not sure why the things aren't selling now unless it's just a glut in this area. Seems everyone is raising them.
The deal we worked out included the butchering and I am paying 1.25 a pound for the processed beef after butcher takes his cut/ It was a hard deal to pass up.

It's funny because the Hog prices are holding pretty well.

I may buy a hog and butcher it myself if I can get a dip in the prices.

[John_C]

Sound like an opportunity for a CountryPlans BBQ   

[StinkerBell]

Anyone else have the Veggie Tale song Cebu ringing in their head?

[muldoon]

Sound like an opportunity for a CountryPlans BBQ   

I'm up for that. 

On a somewhat related note I have taken up a touch of butchering (really meat processing) this year.  So far we have done 4 deer and 2 hogs in the last month.  Split 3 ways between me and two other guys who are splitting the work and costs associated.  Done some awesome sausage and burger.  Have quite a few wild hog shoulders set back for bbq as well.  (boston butt costs how much?).   The taste difference is phenomenal. 

red - you said

You can judge the cattle prices by the price of corn.  If Corn is up then cattle prices are down and vice verses.

Corn is selling at 3.32 a bushel now.  it was over 8 in june.  what do you make of that?  is it as bad for farmers as 39 dollar oil is for the oil companies?  ie - in two years we might not have any of either.