when to buy cattle and goats

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What's the best time of year for buying cattle and goats?

We're thinking of getting four heiffers (probably bred) and two steer calfs. And about six goats. We intend to overwinter them all. We got the idea that since a lot of people probably sell their animals in the fall, the price probably drops a lot. But we have loads of grass growing on our land. If the heiffers are yearlings and the steers are calves, it seems that they might cost more per pound now, but weigh less now - so it will probably work out to be about the same.

So when should we buy?

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), July 09, 2001

Answers

If you happened to have read the last countryside issue, it has some real good tips on buying cattle.

-- Russell Hays (rhays@sstelco.com), July 09, 2001.

Around here, the prices really start dropping when it starts getting cold enough to have to feed hay and or grain in addition to the pasture, usually around November, but can be earlier depending on local conditions, like extended drought years where the pasture dries up in August!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), July 10, 2001.

I think we might find a different trend this year with pricing ,it seems that the price is staying and is supposed to stay high for a while,, I think maybe has something to do with the foot and mouth disease ,, but last year the farmers were givin away bull calves and now a day old is goin in the vicinity 350.00 to 500.00 a piece ,, how come the price is always high when I buy and low when I sell,,, just my luck huh ,,,

-- pat banks (extruckeruhoh@yahoo.com), July 10, 2001.

This is the second year of drought in our area. As well as the economy not doing too well. Should I wait until a little later in the summer?

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), July 10, 2001.

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