A green wheat field can make buying November calves look like a good idea. The wheat is growing, the fence is in good shape, and a neighbor says his cattle are gaining weight. It’s easy to start counting grazing days before you know how much feed you’ll actually have.But then a cold front slows the wheat’s growth, the next rain doesn’t arrive, and a few days of feeding can turn into several weeks.
When you buy stocker calves, which are young cattle you plan to grow before finishing, you take on the job of feeding them through winter. In West Texas and the Southern Plains, shorter days and colder soils make it harder for late wheat to catch up.
Before you bid, think about three possible situations: good growth, slow establishment, and a long dry spell. Work out the cost of each and when you’d need to adjust your plans. This helps you decide how much forage risk your operation can handle.
