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Comment by Ken Spielvogel on February 8, 2014 at 21:37

Good point and so true.

Comment by Waggoner, Alan on February 8, 2014 at 19:21

Ken,

when you talk about calf prices you have got to mention how high operating costs like feed, fertilizer, equipment, labor, fencing,etc are. I remember back in the 1980s when 6 wt calves first reached a $1. Farm diesel was around 60-75 cts/gal. Now it's about $3.25/gal? Now back to your comment/question. 6 wt black calves sold for $1.70/lb last fall! Everything's relative it seems!

Comment by Ken Spielvogel on February 8, 2014 at 19:08

Alan, you are doing a lot like I did. I once had a calf only 6 months, weighed 600 lb and I got $600 for it. That was about 13 yrs ago. I bet they are bringing more than $1 a lb now, right?? I love Texas. One of our daughters and her family live in SE Texas, Katy, TX - outside of Houston.   Keep up the good work Alan, Cows are great. The work got to much for my back, so we sold and moved to a smaller place.

Comment by Waggoner, Alan on February 8, 2014 at 18:59

Ken,

I like to calve Feb-April. Calves are 6-8 months old in October and sell best to guys putting together stockers for small grain pasture or going to feeders later. Sometimes it is necessary to wean early if drought has shut off available grazing. In July calves average 450 and still sell great if early wean is needed. Our annual rainfall here in north west Texas is 24 inches but we have only had 46 inches total for the last three years! This year we have had unusual snow cover and coyotes are hard pressed to find rodents and other normal prey and prey availability is tighter drought. I do not pass up a chance to shoot a coyote even though I don't hunt them. I love the wildlife myself!

If I keep the dogs penned the wild turkey and quail come up in the yard. We keep a buried barrel in the front yard and keep water in it.

Comment by Ken Spielvogel on February 8, 2014 at 14:19

Alan, those early calves learn to be tough. I had mine calve mostly in about March but some snuck in in Feb. I think that is what I most miss about having cattle and a working farm. Nothing like looking for and finding a new born calf. Now, I just look for the new fawns on my place.

Comment by Matt Davidson on February 4, 2014 at 10:22

What a great pic!

In Memoriam Comment by Robert Burris on February 4, 2014 at 7:24

Very pretty cow and calf. You are so right, the winter is the hardest time of year on the animals. We use to raise cattle and the winter was the toughest on them and us, with winter feeding and all.

Comment by Jan Carter on February 3, 2014 at 21:58

Alan, that indeed is an awesome picture.  Sometimes we forget the animals suffer in all of this too.  I know many members have been putting out feed for birds and animals through out this tough winter

Comment by Waggoner, Alan on February 3, 2014 at 21:14

Snow falls and calves  drop!  Pretty as a Pearl handled Case knife!