Cull Cow - sell fat or as a feeder?

Brass Tag

Ok, my first official post.
I have a big solid empty 2007 charolais cow that I want to sell.
Took the calf off her two weeks ago. In good condition but not fleshy. 650 kgs approx.

I'm wondering if it's best to sell as is or keep and fatten?
I'm not in the QA system, so was thinking I might be as well off to let the next guy do the fattening!

Anyone care to give me a price guide. Approx 650 kgs as she stands.

Thanks in advance for info.

blue5000

Better off to finish her yourself, not many places giving QA bonus on cows, 4 cent is the most I ever got. But there might be a price cut from the base price for not being QA.

650 kg x 50% KO = 325kg DW
x 3.30 approx €1070

simx

blue5000 wrote: »

Better off to finish her yourself, not many places giving QA bonus on cows, 4 cent is the most I ever got. But there might be a price cut from the base price for not being QA.

650 kg x 50% KO = 325kg DW
x 3.30 approx €1070

Only know of one place that pays a bonus on cows, but being in QA is a must for a good few to take them in the first place

Brass Tag

simx wrote: »

Only know of one place that pays a bonus on cows, but being in QA is a must for a good few to take them in the first place

In that case would you recommend off loading now as opposed to finish on farm.
Not much background in finishing. I suppose I would needs to be feeding a few kgs meals plus grass for minimum 6 to 7 weeks to get this kind of cow up to slaughter weight.
What way do cow prices tend to move on the approach to Xmas compared to October? Up, down sideways?

Nettleman

blue5000 wrote: »

Better off to finish her yourself, not many places giving QA bonus on cows, 4 cent is the most I ever got. But there might be a price cut from the base price for not being QA.

650 kg x 50% KO = 325kg DW
x 3.30 approx €1070

I got a factory quote for 750kg cull cow from factory at 3.25 and no QA bonus, and needless to say, they were escorted from the premises. Prefer to sell her to another farmer

Nettleman

Brass Tag wrote: »

What way do cow prices tend to move on the approach to Xmas compared to October? Up, down sideways?

Theres good charts in the farmers journal which pitch the trends on prices versus 2012 & 2013 for steers, heifers, factory cows.

simx

Nettleman wrote: »

I got a factory quote for 750kg cull cow from factory at 3.25 and no QA bonus, and needless to say, they were escorted from the premises. Prefer to sell her to another farmer

Got quoted 3.40 for r grade cows the other day, this factory not fussy about QA , no bonus

simx

Brass Tag wrote: »

In that case would you recommend off loading now as opposed to finish on farm.
Not much background in finishing. I suppose I would needs to be feeding a few kgs meals plus grass for minimum 6 to 7 weeks to get this kind of cow up to slaughter weight.
What way do cow prices tend to move on the approach to Xmas compared to October? Up, down sideways?

Well it depends how far off finishing she is, have you space for her? Is it only one cow you have? Will you need a vet call out just to blood test her? Last year there was an downward trend in cows, but who's to say what'll happen this year? Store cows are a good trade at the minute and the type of cow you describe would sell fine, you also have the option of fleshing up and selling in the ring then?

Deepsouthwest

Straight to the mart with her, always a customer for that type of cow.

J.O. Farmer

If she's in good shape there's nothing like a dry cow to put on flesh. If you can hold her for 6-7 weeks in the shed on meal you can sell her fattened in the mart or factory.

Cavanjack

On the subject of cull cows what sort of money are cows making straight out of the parlour? Some on dd for round €750. Surely could be got cheaper than that? Haven't been in a mart in ages.

simx

Cavanjack wrote: »

On the subject of cull cows what sort of money are cows making straight out of the parlour? Some on dd for round €750. Surely could be got cheaper than that? Haven't been in a mart in ages.

Asking €750 on dd, but asking and getting are different things, I certainly wouldn't give it anyway, am holding off buying any culls till the glut comes and they calm a bit in prices

danjoe

Hi Cavanjack, seen cows outta dairy selling yesterday in nenagh from 450 to 600

simx

danjoe wrote: »

Hi Cavanjack, seen cows outta dairy selling yesterday in nenagh from 450 to 600

Was there many cows in it?

danjoe

40 -50