Well, the calves are sold. I heard a couple of weeks ago that the guy that bought my calves the last two years, was out buying calves. I called up his representative and wanted to know if they were interested in the calves this year. He said they were but just hadn't got around to calling me yet. I priced them out to them higher than the market was, you have to give yourself negotiating room. They got back to me and said that the price was a little high and that while they might have to pay it in the end, they were going to wait for now, but let them know if anybody else come around showing interest. Fine, I know they wanted the calves but were just playing coy.<br />n<br />nA couple of nights ago the representative for the guy that bought my calves 3 years ago called and was interested in the calves. I gave him the same price as the first guys and told him, "I have the calves priced out to another guy at the same price I just gave you. Whoever comes up with the money first, gets them." He said fair enough.<br />n<br />nI called the first guy and told him somebody else was interested and whoever come up with the money first, got them. Well, the guy that bought them the last two years came up with the money so he bought them.<br />n<br />nDetails. I always get upset at guys that complain that the packers don't reveal the prices they pay for cattle and that they need to report the price so that the market is open, but won't tell you what they got for thier calves. That's hypocritical. So the details.<br />n<br />nI sold over two big loads of steer calves, bawling off the cow with no pre-conditioning weighing 550 lbs for $1.25 per pound with a 8 cent slide both ways. I sold over 1 load of heifer calves, bawling off the cow with no pre-conditioning weighing 520 lbs $1.19 per pound with a 8 cent slide both ways. Deliver is on or before Oct. 4th.<br />n<br />nFrom my studies this is top of the market for calves like this with no pre-conditioning from this area so I am happy. With the price of fuel and insurance so damned high I wish it was more but it's a good price. Now I'm looking forward to shipping.<br />n<br />n<strong>The market controls everything, but the market has no heart. Anita Roddick </strong>