Message #257094

[tobyb2007]

Silverton did a good job on numbers. $3000 will get you an extremely nice bull right now with $2500 getting you a really nice bull. Lets say you buy a $2500 dollar bull and base everything on  90% calf crop which means 13.5 calves per year so we will say 13.
1 year 2500/13=192 per calf             salvage value (being very conservative) 1500lbs*.55=825       so 2500-825=1675/13=128
2 years 2500/26= 96 per calf                                                                                                                   1675/26=64
3 years 2500/39=64 per calf                                                                                                                     1675/39=43

These numbers don't account for feed, hay, vaccines, etc. but should give you a good idea.
If you buy a young bull it shouldn't be a problem getting 3 years out of him.
If you buy a bull look at epd's and base them off of the breed average. (in your case birth weight and weaning weight are most important)
Sell everything that doesnt have a calf and replcace cause the ones that don't reproduce still eat.
Leasing is also a good option for a small number of cows.
Is there any particular reason you are calving in fall?