Agricultural News
Three Things to Consider Before Buying Those Females to Add to Your Herd
Thu, 13 Oct 2016 12:11:10 CDT
For cattle producers looking to add females to their beef cattle herds, there are several things to consider before making that purchase, according to Robert Wells of the Noble Foundation. Farm Director Ron Hays had the opportunity to get his advice on what considerations he suggests producers make.
"First off, I want you to think about the health program of that female where you are buying her from," Wells said. "Next you need to think about where you are buying her from."
Wells says he highly discourages producers from buying females one-by-one from a weekly sale barn. He says in many cases you would just be buying someone else's problem.
"Finally, you need to think about other issues like phenotype issues," Wells said. "Is she going to fit my operation, does she have the right genetics for my environment, is she too big for the grass I have or her and the management I'm going to use for her?"
Another important factor, especially with today's economy, is getting the right sized female. Wells insists a female within the 1,200 lb. range will be the most productive and will wean calves at the appropriate size to be profitable to the producer. He says the number one thing to do though as you make your final purchasing decisions, is to find the females that will work best in the environment and the management you expect her to work under.
Listen to Robert Wells of the Noble Foundation offer his suggested considerations for producers looking to add females to their herds with Farm Director Ron Hays on today's Beef Buzz.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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