April 10, 2002, edition of Dairy Alert

Heifer prices remain high

At a recent Holstein sale in Marion, Ind., one observer noted the high prices paid for marginal springing heifers — $1,500 to $1,600, in many cases.

Demand for good heifers currently exceeds supply. And, nothing suggests that the situation will change anytime soon. "I think you will be looking at high-priced springers for quite a while," says Jim Rupert, business manager for Producers Livestock Marketing Association in Jerome, Idaho.

Rupert reports that heifer prices in southern Idaho have been "pretty steady" the past six months, but that also means "pretty steady" on the high side. On April 3, the top 10 springers at one sale in southern Idaho brought an average of $2,030.

Reprinted with permission from DAIRY HERD Management, April 10, 2002 issue.

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