It's a new year and I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. Due to the hectic holiday season and breeding schedule at DSAC I haven't posted much since December, but that doesn't mean there aren't many issues for cattlemen. I came across this article from Drovers. While several producers are looking to expand their herd since prices are at record highs due to hearty beef exports, fewer cattle numbers in the US and many other countries, and lingering drought issues in the Southwest. However, take into consideration many factors before expanding. First look at your operation - do you have the required resources available and cost structure?
In the article the author, Andrew Griffith, University of Tennessee Extension, says the following:
"The following assumptions are made for the heifer purchase example:
1. Heifer/cow produces calves weaning 525 pounds over her productive life.
2. The cost of carrying a cow for a year is $750 and increases one percent annually.
3. The price received for a 525 pound feeder calf is $240 per hundredweight through 2016 and then declines either 2.5 percent or 5.0 percent annually.
4. The price of a commercial slaughter cow is $105 per hundredweight and declines 5.0 percent annually.
5. A discount rate of 5.0 percent is assumed across the life of the purchased heifer.
The stated assumptions alone do not provide enough information to make the purchase price decision. A major factor in the heifer purchase decision is how long she can be expected to stay in the herd. Thus, the accompanying figure provides a representation of how much can be paid for a bred heifer expected to calve in the spring of 2015 given the number of years she is expected to remain productive in the cattle herd. Generally speaking, the longer a cow is expected to be in the herd then the more a producer can potentially pay for her. If it is assumed the cow will produce eight calves over her productive life and cattle prices decline 2.5 percent annually then a producer could pay $3,264 for a bred heifer and still breakeven while a 5.0 percent annual decline in prices would result in a breakeven purchase price of $2,832 per head.
Similarly, if that cow only produces five calves prior to being removed from the herd then the maximum purchase price is $2,799 and $2,653 for the 2.5 percent and the 5.0 percent annual decline in calf prices.
Generally, when a producer purchases bred heifers, some will not make it past year two or three while some may stay in the herd for ten years. This is a cost producers should consider when making the bred heifer purchase decision. Producers should not take the calculated prices from this article as hard and fast numbers because a number of assumptions have been made that can dramatically alter how much can be paid for a bred replacement heifer. Producers are encouraged to consider the cost of production for the particular operation and how long cows typically remain in the herd. Additionally, in this example it was assumed cattle prices will start slowly declining after the 2016 production year and decline through year nine. This is a conservative assumption that greatly influences the decision.
It is also important that producers recognize the maximum purchase price provided in this article is a breakeven price over the lifetime of the cow. Thus, producers should consider what an acceptable return per purchased bred heifer is and then deduct that from the maximum purchase price to fully evaluate the bred heifer purchase decision.
In recent sales across the state of Tennessee, bred heifers have brought between $2,300 and $3,000 per head. These prices are very much in line with the values provided in this article. Many of the assumptions made in this article will not be representative of every operation resulting in different maximum purchase prices. Additional considerations include weight at which calves are marketed, marketing method (weekly auction, graded sale, alliance, truck load lots, etc.), and the quality of heifer being purchased. The bred heifer purchase decision is not a one size fits all decision, but hopefully the presented thought process will benefit producers in this decision."
So before you decide to purchase replacement heifers take into these variables.