Purchasing Bred Females

By Taylor Grussing

Weaning time is here and with that the decision to retain or sell heifer calves is front and center. The cattle cycle continues to be strong for both steers and heifers compared to years past, and herd rebuilding is slow or yet to start in some regions. Record low cow inventory has increased the value of all cattle and this should continue until the rebuild occurs or consumer demand decreases. Therefore, the opportunity cost of retaining heifers is something to strongly consider before loading the truck. Regardless of selling or retaining heifers, there is opportunity to purchase bred females and increase the calves available to market next season in this strong market. Here are some ideas to think about when purchasing bred females.

First, consider what perks bred cows can bring to your herd and pay accordingly. Ask yourself these questions when determining what to pay for bred cows.

• Will the new females add value to the herd by improving genetics?
• Will females calve in a narrow window and complement your current calving season?
• Will these cows improve the current calving distribution?
• Does grass return on investment improve when it is being grazed by cow/calf pairs versus replacement heifers?