BRED FEMALES
WHAT IS A GOOD BULL WORTH IN 2026? As the 2026 bull-buying season kicks off, Mark Johnson estimates what a bull should be worth and the factors to consider. by Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension With Cattlemen’s Congress taking place in Oklahoma City Jan. 4-14, the spring 2026 bull-buying season has officially started. The full schedule of sales during Cattlemen’s Congress can be found at https:// cattlemenscongress.com/sales/. Bull-buying season will continue into the spring months in Oklahoma and across the nation, with progressive seedstock operations offering yearling bulls. Accordingly, it’s time to revisit the age-old question: What is a good bull worth in 2026? As a student at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in the mid-1980s, I was taught: “A good bull is worth the value of five calves he sires.” It is a good answer and a good rule of thumb. The problem is it doesn’t exactly narrow the range. As always, we need to define “a good bull,” check current market reports, answer some questions about how we intend to market future calf crops, and do some cowboy math to arrive at a more precise answer. What is considered a good bull? For this discussion, qualifications to meet good bull status are: • A bull that sells with a registration paper, which includes pedigree information and a complete set of genetic values [including expected progeny differences (EPDs) and bio-economic indices] to be considered in the selection process. • A bull that has passed a breeding soundness exam (sometimes referred to as a BSE) and sells with a breeding soundness warranty (terms will vary). • A bull that will add value to calves sired because he fits your breeding objectives, production system and marketing plans. Valuing the calves he’ll produce So, what is that good bull worth? When are we marketing our calves? What is their value? Using the end of year market prices for 2025 from Derrell Peel’s article in the Dec. 29, 2025, issue of the Cow-Calf Corner newsletter: • 500-pound (lb.) weaned steer calves were worth about $4.80 per lb. for a value of approximately $2,400 per head. Therefore, if my future marketing plan is to sell weaned steers, $2,400 x 5 = $12,000 is the answer. • 800-lb. yearling steers were worth about $3.50 per lb. for a value of $2,800 per head. Therefore, if my future marketing plan is to sell yearling steers, $2,800 x 5 = $14,000 is the answer. • 1,500-lb. finished beef steers were worth $2.29 per lb. live for a value of $3,435 each. Therefore, if my future marketing plan is to retain ownership through finishing and sell fed cattle on a live- weight basis, $3,435 x 5 = $17,175 is the answer. So, in the current market, a good bull is worth somewhere between $12,000 and $17,175 to a commercial cow-calf operation. Where exactly in that range depends on your marketing plan and the market conditions at that time. It’s not an exact number because there are many variables in play. One key point illustrated here is that the longer you own the offspring before marketing, the greater the value of the bull to your operation. Retained ownership gives you more time and opportunity to capture the value of your investment in genetics. It is noteworthy that we haven’t considered the value added to replacement females a bull will sire. Bulls used to sire the next generation of cows have an even greater long-term economic effect on the profit potential of your operation and should be valued accordingly. I encourage cow-calf operations to consider their breeding goals, production system and marketing plan. Doing so should dictate where to apply selection pressure. Genetic values pay when you purchase bulls capable of improving genetic potential for the specific traits that will translate to added value at your intended marketing end point.
Stone Creek Elba 4028-1030 - Lot 33
#*Connealy Confidence Plus STONE CREEK ELBA 4028-1030 [ OHP ] 33 Birth Date: 01-23-2021 I Cow 20133673 I Tattoo: 1030 SIRE #*Connealy Confidence 0100 Elbanna of Conanga 1209
#*Linz Exemplify 71124
#+*R B Tour Of Duty 177 +*MAR Erica Rito 1402
19265123
*M A R Erica 1617
#HF Tiger 5T
MVF Tiger 213X
DAM
MVF Tibbie 011L #BR Midland HF Elba 2518
Stone Creek Elba 4028
18717760
Stone Creek Elba 42B
• Here is a very productive daughter by the $150,000 Linz Exemplify back to the ultra-feminine Stone Creek Elba, which is one of the top cows in the entire Stone Creek operation. The Elba family is legendary for convenience traits like udder quality and femininity. 1030 has very good YW, top 20% scrotal, very good CEM, excellent udder scores, controlled mature height, top 10% docility, and top 5% RE with big time $Values. • Pasture exposed to E G Culmination 401 (21011331) from May 10-July 1. 75% 60% 45% 35% 20% 95% 25% 50% 10% 85% 75% PAP CW MARB RIB FAT $M $W $B $C +.92 +75 +.65 +1.29 +.006 +39 +62 +202 +301 45% 15% 65% 5% 40% 95% 55% 15% 30% CED BW WW YW SC HP CEM MILK DOC CLAW ANGL +3 +1.7 +70 +130 +1.41 +6.7 +11 +26 +29 +.58 +.52
#*Poss Maverick STONE CREEK BLACKBIRD111-307 [ NHF ] 34 Birth Date: 12-25-2022 I Cow +*20606004 I Tattoo: 307 SIRE #+*Basin Payweight 1682
Poss Pride 5163
*Poss Deadwood
Poss Easy Impact 0119 #Poss Ellunmere 0170 #+*Basin Payweight 1682 +*Deer Valley Rita 36113
19597261
*Poss Ellunamere 399
#+*Deer Valley Growth Fund
DAM
+*CAR Don Blackbird 111
#+*Quaker Hill Rampage 0A36 +*EF Blackbird 3241
19575036
+*CAR Don Blackbird 935
• Here is an outstanding young Deadwood daughter by the great Blackbird cow family who goes back to the great Deer Valley Growth Fund who led the breed for registrations for over two years. 307 has excellent top 30% BW, top 3% YW, excellent scrotal and HP combination, outstanding foot scores, and top 10% CW with balanced $Values. • Pasture exposed to Stone Creek Deadwood 306 from May 10-July 1. 40% 30% 4% 3% 45% 45% 30% 30% 85% 15% 20% PAP CW MARB RIB FAT $M $W $B $C +2.97 +69 +.96 +1.20 -.025 +46 +85 +190 +292 90% 10% 20% 3% 10% 85% 10% 10% 15% CED BW WW YW SC HP CEM MILK DOC CLAW ANGL +7 +.4 +86 +154 +.92 +11.8 +10 +29 +10 +.41 +.42
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