Maybe Not So Bad

I was fairly disappointed with the way the calf weights turned out this year. Nothing I can do about it since the dry weather was the problem but that doesn't change the disappointment. I've been visiting with some different people since then though and have been revising my opinion. Maybe it wasn't that bad.<br />n<br />nI've heard reports that a rancher in the area weaned his calves recently and they weighed 475 lbs. This particular guy hasn't put off under 600 pound calves in years. That's a heck of a hit in weights.<br />n<br />nI've heard another report that a guy had over 1000 head of Yearlings up in the pryors on grass for the summer. Normally you can expect such animals to gain 200-300 lbs. during the summer. These come off grass only 90 lbs. heavier than they went on. Talk about losing money, that's the way to do it.<br />n<br />nLastly, the banker said that everyone he's dealt with has had significantly lighter calves, he didn't give specific figures, and that I wasn't down as bad as most people so it was looking decent for me. He also told me that the normal figure he is hearing for dry replacement heifers this year is 20-30%. This is from people that normally only have 4-5% dries. Mine was 10% like it is every year so pretty normal for me.<br />n<br />nTaking all these things into consideration I guess I didn't do so bad. Still kind of disappointed but in a macabre sort of way it makes a person feel better to see a lot of people in the same boat. That way it justifies the thoughts that it's the weather and not some poor management decision on my part.<br />n<br />n<strong>We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. Martin Luther King, Jr.</strong>