Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2006 0:10:31 GMT -5
and I was amazed at the prices. Not so much how high or low they were, but the differences between Holsteins, which is valued like gold bullion around here, and Jerseys, Guernsey, Shorthorns, etc.
For example... a Holstein springer was going for about $1,400. on average. But 1 Jersey springer came through (7 mos. preg.) and sold for only $800. A little later a young Guernsey came through, recently freshened with her 1st calf according to the auctioneer, and she sold for only $550. Then came the young hiefers...Holstiens, about 200-300 lbs. were going on average about $900.-$1,100. But, one Jersey heifer, who was I think 300 lbs., sold for only $450. They also had a couple shorthorn bulls come through (I'm guessing about 400 lbs. ea. ) and they only went for about $500. a piece. Also could have picked up a pair of Jersey bull calves, probably a week old but looked healthy for the most part, for $10. a piece!
It's a good thing I left the trailer at home or I would have come back with a full load. Especially that Guernsey who had recently freshened, and the Jersey springer... they were really eye catching.
Thinking about it though I'm wondering if anybody else has noticed such a wide spread in prices for dairy cows in your area? We have a lot of commercial dairies around here and they want Holsteins. I really hadn't realized how much more they are valued, by the farmers in comparison to the other dairy breeds, until today.
I'm also thinking of breaking my rule about sale barns.... Just thinking that if I can get a young cow that recently calved, or even a springer at these prices I may buy one from there next time. I know.. auction cows are a gamble. But, I've recently come to the conclusion that a private party, unless you know them very well, is just as big of a gamble. I've been burned once by a less then ethical person over money (the Sabrina seller) and now I'm completely up in the air about what I'm going to do with Nettie. (Still waiting on the blood test, and I've got a new vet coming next week, before I make any decisions.) Guess that's another topic for another day.
For example... a Holstein springer was going for about $1,400. on average. But 1 Jersey springer came through (7 mos. preg.) and sold for only $800. A little later a young Guernsey came through, recently freshened with her 1st calf according to the auctioneer, and she sold for only $550. Then came the young hiefers...Holstiens, about 200-300 lbs. were going on average about $900.-$1,100. But, one Jersey heifer, who was I think 300 lbs., sold for only $450. They also had a couple shorthorn bulls come through (I'm guessing about 400 lbs. ea. ) and they only went for about $500. a piece. Also could have picked up a pair of Jersey bull calves, probably a week old but looked healthy for the most part, for $10. a piece!
It's a good thing I left the trailer at home or I would have come back with a full load. Especially that Guernsey who had recently freshened, and the Jersey springer... they were really eye catching.
Thinking about it though I'm wondering if anybody else has noticed such a wide spread in prices for dairy cows in your area? We have a lot of commercial dairies around here and they want Holsteins. I really hadn't realized how much more they are valued, by the farmers in comparison to the other dairy breeds, until today.
I'm also thinking of breaking my rule about sale barns.... Just thinking that if I can get a young cow that recently calved, or even a springer at these prices I may buy one from there next time. I know.. auction cows are a gamble. But, I've recently come to the conclusion that a private party, unless you know them very well, is just as big of a gamble. I've been burned once by a less then ethical person over money (the Sabrina seller) and now I'm completely up in the air about what I'm going to do with Nettie. (Still waiting on the blood test, and I've got a new vet coming next week, before I make any decisions.) Guess that's another topic for another day.