It’s the beginning of a new year, which usually brings reflection and planning. As cattle producers, we’re constantly making decisions, both big and little, and evaluating the outcomes.
Keep, sell or buy
The cattle market and record low national cowherd numbers continue to be a point of discussion among ag economists and producers. In a recent Facebook poll, our Drovers team asked if producers were keeping or buying replacement heifers, or selling heifers. A vast majority are keeping heifers. Time will tell how deep and wide heifer retention is reflected in the market.
One producer, Sam Campbell of Oregon, is keeping heifers to replace an aging herd.
“We have a lot of older cows, so I’m looking at getting rid of ones with flaws I don’t care for and will cut back 5% to 10% of the herd,” she says. “Last year we kept back 15 heifers, while this year I hope to keep closer to 30 to 40.”
She says balancing the bills while also wanting to grow her own cowherd guides her decisions.
Another producer says her operation held back 80 heifers and bred them. They are keeping 50 heifers and selling 20 that are bred and the 10 still open.
Other responses included producers who had sold heifers for several years due to drought but are now ready to rebuild and some who plan to sell heifers to pay expenses. The responses reiterate each operation is different and knowing your hard costs is important when making replacement decisions.
Proactive change
While you can’t control Mother Nature, you can make decisions that help future-proof herd management regardless of the weather. Maybe that means changing your grazing plans, switching up calving dates or covering water troughs. Learn from other ranchers in different regions who have made proactive management decisions.
As cliché as it might sound, take the time in the new year to look back over previous years so you can make decisions that move your operation forward.
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Drovers