Developing a business plan is the most important thing to consider, right off the bat, when going into a new venture. Watching other ranches who are successful or, not so much, is the best place to learn. When buying the first cow for $1,100 it would be overly optimistic to think that cow would raise a marketable calf right away that would sell for $5000. If that was the way the business works everyone would know it and the $1,100 cow would be selling for $3,000 or $7,000. People know. Consider some of the following scenarios and their out-come. There are a lot of smart people in the business who are making serious plans just like your own.
- My recommendation is to buy registered cows with calves at side in the $2000 to $5000 price range of the quality on the DCC inventory. This will let you see that the cow is a breeder and that she can raise a fat calf. It will show she is a good size, the disposition is okay, see how the horns are developing, and her mature conformation. Cows with well respected pedigrees will provide the best return on investment. Then after that point, it would be good to carefully select semen from bulls who weigh about a ton or better, who have 85" T2T or better. Some exceptions could be made if a very promising bull is only about age 2. In today's market a 30 month old bull should measure T2T about 80" or better. This is a start-up plan that works for a lot of people. I recommend it.
- Some folks are blessed with great business achievements and have more funds than the average person. That type person might buy cows well up in the top horn and correct conformation range in the $10,000 up-to-the-sky price range, and have a very elite herd. If you are this person, you should buy semen on bulls weighing a ton and over 85" T2T or just buy one of the really great bulls to enjoy a pasture full of the greatest cattle.
- Most registered cattle sell privately. However, there are a lot of auction sales where all registered cattle sell. People selling in sales, with below average sale values history, know they will not get a great price, so normally sell stock they do not want to keep for a reason they are aware of. Buying bargain cattle in the $800 to $1500 range may be just slightly above hamburger value. When building a herd with economy cattle it is the best many people can do - that is fine. Still, to breed up with a very good bull will increase the value of your calves. Be aware, if you publicly buy an $800 cow it would be a normal expectation to raise $500 calves or less. Don't expect to be selling a lot of $2500 breeding stock.
- Starting a hobby herd. Some people don't care about the registered business, the marketing or the hamburger business. They may select a herd for family enjoyment. In this scenario one can just do whatever they want to. An exhibition steer herd would probably be best. You can do anything you enjoy.
- Unregistered Texas Longhorns are great commercial stock. They may be bred to a large different breed and produce calves that sell well by the pound. The economy of the Texas Longhorn female and weight of the cross bred. As a business this has proven to be the least return on investment, but may also be the least entry cost.
- Traditional cattle are mostly Yates, Marks and WR blood. To raise cattle like the early genetics of pre- registration is very economical. These are smaller cattle, not the show type or large horn type. Semen on traditional bulls may be purchased for $5 to 12 per straw. Much of the CTLR would be traditional. These are ideal for rodeo use.
- Beef type Texas Longhorns. This is a program with no concern for color or horn spreads. The return would be pounds mostly harvested as freezer beef. In some cases this is more profitable than many of the other six. Food products are the highest in history. People will always be wanting to eat.
For any of the seven business plans using a bull superior to the cows will create an increased value on the calves. To make this forward jump, here are some recommended bulls from the DCC semen price list https://www.texaslonghorn.com/inventory/semen/index.cfm
To increase body size use bulls near or beyond a ton:
- Bail Jumper
- Buck Shot
- Clear Point
- Clear Win
- Coal Smoke
- Cowcatcher
- Drag Iron
- Gizmo
- King
- Lethal Weapon
- Overwhelmer
- Quill
- Reckon So
- Senator
- Sequel
- Super Bowl
- Time Line
- Win Win
- Winchester
- Zhivago
- Zigfield
To use bulls with horn beyond 85" T2T
- Clear Point
- Clear Win
- Cowboy Tuff Chex
- Drag Iron
- Drop Box
- Rodeo Max
- Tempter
- Time Line
- Top Caliber
To use bulls proven to sire show Champions
- Bail Jumper
- Buck Shot
- Clear Win
- Cowcatcher
- Cowboy Tuff Chex
- Drag Iron
- Gizmo
- Jet Black Chex
- Lethal Weapon
- Measles Super Ranger
- Mile Marker
- Non Stop
- Over Head
- Overwhelmer
- Raffles
- Reckon So
- Senator
- Shadowizm
- Super Bowl
- Super Fast
- The Shadow
- Time Line
- Trial Run
- Tuxedo
- Victory Lap
- Westward Ho
- Win Win
- Winchester
Bulls to sire traditional type
- Classic
- Play Boy
- Salida Slick
- Unlimited
- All Yates, WR bulls (no inventory)
This is the seven most common business plans in the TL industry. Go for it!
