Get the Most from Your Heifer Investment By Robert Fears
T
OM BRINK, FORMERLY WITH CATTLE-FAX AND NOW ASSOCIATED WITH JBS Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, said in September of 2011, “Own- ing beef cows might be a good idea, for the present and into
the future.” In his presentation more than 3 years ago, Brink gave several
good reasons to breed more heifers, and his statements have been proven to be accurate. The No. 1 reason was that it’s always nice to own a scarce commodity, one that is even scarcer today. Drought in the south will end, grass will recover and forage will be avail- able for grazing. Some areas of the south are now receiving rainfall. Beef demand has risen, especially with the rapid growth of ex-
ports. Calf prices have risen to unprecedented heights. Bred heifers are selling well and estrus synchronization protocols are working. High quality genetics are available for improving herd quality. In- creased availability of by-products such as distillers grain and soy- hulls will improve economics in cattle feeding and increase feeder demand. Presently, all feed costs are lower relative to cattle prices and corn is cheaper than when Brink made his statements. Heifer prices are high, so it is important to make good selections
and develop them properly to obtain a return on the investment. Glenn Rogers, DVM, taught a class on getting the most from the heifer investment at the School for Successful Ranching, part of the 2015 Cattle Raisers Convention, March 27 to 29. Rogers is the owner and operator of Holt River Ranch and Grassy Ridge Consulting. A primary enterprise of the Holt River Ranch is heifer development, so Rogers spoke with “on-the-ground” experience. Here is a sum- mary of his presentation.
tscra.org
April 2015 The Cattleman 81
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116