  BeefTalk:
Be Aware of Needs, Supply When Looking to Buy Bulls
By Kris Ringwall, Extension Beef Specialist,
NDSU Extension Service
A new calf crop is here. The breeding decisions of last spring and summer are
taking shape. The new calf crop, however, is only part of the equation. Other
aspects of the operation are demanding your time and attention: sire selection
for the 2002 calf crop, how the 2000 calf crop is finishing in the feedlot, and
a dozen other details as spring approaches.
At the North Dakota State University Dickinson Research Extension Center
Ranch, we are watching the new calves bucking and jumping. These are the same
calves we will be keeping track of next year at this time.
At present, the center has 118 steer calves (from the 2000 crop) in the
feedlot. They seem to be doing fine. No dead slips yet, and the cattle are all
eating. The steers checked in on Friday, Dec. 15, with an average weight of 693
pounds and a range of 462 pounds. The heaviest steer was 928 pounds, the
lightest 466 pounds.
This spread is wider than desired. With the electronic cattle management
system, the cattle are sorted following acclimation to the feed yard. Cattle are
sorted to pens to meet targeted market dates and results in several pens with
different market dates for the 118 head of steers.
In addition, the cattle were ultrasounded for back fat at arrival and they
averaged 0.11 inches. The maximum was .25 inches and the minimum was 0.04 inches
with a range of 0.21 inches. Average hip height was 46 inches. The maximum was
50.5 inches and the minimum was 41 inches with a range of 9.5 inches. Weight and
back fat will be monitored throughout the feeding period to keep track of
individual animal performance.
As of mid-February, the calves had been on feed for 63 days and were
consuming 25 pounds of feed per head per day with total feed costs running at
$1.57 per head per day. Yardage and miscellaneous charges are 6 cents per head
per day. The current total costs are running at $1.63 per head per day, with a
63-day total cost of $1.81 per head per day.
The interim sorts and projected market dates should be arriving soon, based
on the second individual body weight and back fat measurements. Keeping track of
individual costs of gain and steer performance is critical in determining when
an individual steer should be marketed to maximize dollar return per animal.
The feedlot is performing according to expectation, and that brings us to
preparation for the 2002 calf crop--the availability of sires for the current
breeding season. The bull sales are well underway, and anyone who can’t find a
bull just hasn’t looked. A quick review of the ads in one regional publication
showed 4,023 bulls listed from 50 producers. In addition, there were 27
classified ads that didn’t list the number of bulls. The breeds listed
included Angus, Charolais, Red Angus, South Devon, Gelbvieh, Saler, Simmental,
Limousin, Maine Anjou, Polled Hereford, Shorthorn and Horned Hereford.
The average producer had approximately 70 bulls for sale with the range being
two bulls to 500 bulls. Based on the current cow inventory from the North Dakota
Agricultural Statistics 2000, there should be 940,000 cows awaiting 55,000 bulls
this spring. Assuming 30 cows per bull, only 31,333 bull will actually be
needed.
Have fun shooting the bull. May you find all your ear tags.
Your comments are always welcome at www.BeefTalk.com
For more information, contact the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement
Association, 1133 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601 or go to www.CHAPS2000.COM
on the Internet. In correspondence about this column, refer to BT0029.
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Source: Kris Ringwall, (701) 483-2045, kringwal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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