E242 Replacement Economics: Why Raising Your Heifers Just Became Profitable Again

Heifer prices are smashing records, inventories are at a 47-year low, and the classic “buy versus raise” debate just got turned on its head. In this episode, we break down why 2025 is the year raising your own replacements is not just smart-it’s 54% cheaper than buying. We’ll dig into the data, expose the hidden costs, and show you how top producers are using genomics, automation, and strategic labor management to build a genetic firewall and future-proof their herds.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why replacement heifer prices have soared above $400/cwt and what’s driving the shortage
• The true cost of raising a heifer on-farm in 2025-and how it stacks up against buying
• How labor efficiency and automation can slash your heifer program costs by up to 40%
• The game-changing impact of genomics: real-world ...