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| As a cow/calf producer I try to run break evens on every aspect of the operation. I start small scale such as doing my own mechanic work vs hiring, buying hay vs putting it up, etc. When those costs are figured I use them as the building block for the cow/calf break even.
As for the inputs for other feeders, I try to keep an ear to the ground as to why they are paying more or less for calves. Personally I won't feed calves unless I can find a competitive edge. Two years ago I bought 15000bu of corn for $2.50. I haven't raised corn to harvest and sell as grain because our ground will only support 60-80bu/ac, and even then I would need $4/bu to make money. So that seemed like a pretty good edge.
The freight and lack of ability to produce cheap feed are the two main reasons I shy away from feeding more calves out. Tough to make it work here when a guy tacks on $50 per calf and $1000/load of corn for freight.
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should a cow man pay attention to corn price?
