REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Marketing cattle is pay day for the ranch. At Cross Cattle Company, that isn't always a specific day. They try to make decisions based on when they are out of feed and when it works for their cycle.

The Cross Family owns Cross Cattle Company in Claresholm, Alberta, Canada, and are participating in DTN's View From the Range series, where DTN will follow a year at the ranch to give readers an inside look at how the ranch operates and cares for its animals.

This segment of the series looks at when yearlings, bred females and cull cows are marketed to go along with needed resources on the ranch.

WHEN GRASS IS AVAILABLE, CATTLE STAY LONGER

"We don't sell weaned calves right off the cow. We don't even sell them a month later," explained Austin Cross, who runs the operation with his brother, Malcolm. "As long as we have grass available, we will keep them on grass and feed them until the market looks right."

All male calves are castrated and timing for selling those steers is based on several factors as they want to see the best profits. For Canadians, that can include knowing what the international market is as some of those calves could be going across the border to the United States to be fed out. Austin said they will look at the local markets as well and work closely with their local sale barn to sell cattle when the market is right.

"We also have to look at stocking rate on grass and what we have room for," he said. "Is the price in the spring, according to the futures market, going to be enough better that we should hold on to them is a deciding factor too."

The Cross cattle gain well and are also given feed when running on grass. They prefer to sell the steers on a video auction, so they can go directly to the buyer and deliver a healthier animal with less stress. This is one of the reasons they have repeat buyers for their cattle because they concentrate on what makes the calf profitable for the buyer.

"There aren't many feedlots in Canada and not many truly independent cattle feeders here, so we have to cater to what our buyers want to a point," Austin said. "But we have to also raise the genetics that will work for replacement heifers in our herd."

The Cross cattle are known to be high-performing, quality cattle that will kill well on the rail because they are looking at carcass performance in their genetic selection also. But Austin also says the buyers will still buy on what they look like phenotypically, so if they can raise a phenotypically and genotypically superior animal, it will make everyone happy.

ALL HEIFERS ARE BRED

The Crosses used to sell the heifers they didn't want to keep as replacements and sent them to the feedyard, but when a customer pointed out to them the superior quality of their heifers, they changed gears. Now, all heifers are put in a group to be bred, and then, when they know how many are needed for their own herd, the selections can be made. The remainder of the bred heifers are sold. This could be as few as 50 or as many as 150 to be marketed.

"After we pregnancy check cows in the fall, we will determine what cows need to be culled. This year, I culled a little harder because that market is better," he explained. "This means I'm keeping a lot more bred heifers than I typically would and we are selling only 50 to 60."

Cross Cattle Company has built a good reputation for high-quality cattle in western Canada. Marketing the heifers they don't keep themselves has not been hard. Plus, Austin said it gives them more flexibility in their own cow herd.

Marketing can sometimes be challenging, but if they have enough grass in the mountain valleys of Alberta, the challenge can become a lot easier to deal with.

Editor's Note: To see previous stories in this series, go to: "Alberta's Cross Family Will Offer Canadian View From the Range for DTN," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"From Calgary Stampede Co-Founder to Modern Ranch: Inside Cross Cattle Company's 140-Year Angus Legacy," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Alberta Ranch Builds Herd to Thrive in Rugged Terrain," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Wintery Spring Storms Test Alberta Ranchers During Calving Season," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Alberta Ranchers Rely on 40-Year Seedstock Partnership," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Alberta Ranchers Balance Homegrown Hay and Purchased Feed to Stretch Grazing Season," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Alberta Ranch Focuses on Cattle Health to Preserve Genetics," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Native Grasses and Water are Essential for Alberta Cow Herd," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Alberta Ranch Lets Nature Lead Weaning Time," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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