2024 Stocker Project!
- Thread starter MurraysMutts
- Start date
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Move your mineral and salt away from the water. They will graze more away from water if you do.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
They got the grazing part down. But haven't really hit the mineral. I had planned on putting it in their path to the water tank. It's off to the side quite a ways right now. Been a bit frustrating really. Can't believe I forgot to do that today.
I wonder if there is something I could add to my mineral to entice them. With no rain forecast for a while I may take the top off for a few days. I know they need it as evidenced by the coat color. Unfortunately I don't have any animals there to show them how to use it.
I would place it near the water source until they know the container and then move away.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Never seen one that didnt figure it out when they need salt. Might try pure salt for a few days.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Right on!
I'll try this, then the other.
Lots and lots of folks in this area don't feed any mineral at all. All mine know what it is by the time they are 2 or 3 months old. My guess these calves are some that have never seen a mineral tub in their life.
I'll try this, then the other.
Lots and lots of folks in this area don't feed any mineral at all. All mine know what it is by the time they are 2 or 3 months old. My guess these calves are some that have never seen a mineral tub in their life.
Travlr
Well-known member
If they need minerals they will not need to be enticed to eat them.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
This black hereford heifer has really come along!
Day of purchase. 1st 2 pics
Here she is. A totally different looking animal! 31 days in
The others are slicking right up too! Dang big brindle STILL ain't lost his nutz. The other one is clean tho. Won't be long.
No minerals at this place!
Day of purchase. 1st 2 pics
Here she is. A totally different looking animal! 31 days in
The others are slicking right up too! Dang big brindle STILL ain't lost his nutz. The other one is clean tho. Won't be long.
No minerals at this place!
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Group one is chugging right along. Getting some shine on em!
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Yeah.... sorry to say, but I think that's what the buyers may think as well this fall. We shall see. She is growing well tho!
As an aside I bought another lil bull calf and promptly got a band and some wormer on him. And his mama!
Mama is a 5 yr old and a touch thin. Hopefully she puts a little condition on and breeds up. I'd like to turn these 2 into cash in a couple months.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Coloring aside. Hard for me to see any holstein...
I couldn't possibly be barn blind tho!
I'm regretting buying her mainly because of the extra chrome. She looks real good. We shall see what happens eventually
I couldn't possibly be barn blind tho!
I'm regretting buying her mainly because of the extra chrome. She looks real good. We shall see what happens eventually
Little Joe
Well-known member
I agree that she looks Holstein crossed, feed her out and sell as freezer beef.
Travlr
Well-known member
Keep her and put a black bull on her and sell CAB calves. For what she might bring at a sale barn you'd likely do better keeping her.
puzzled in oregon
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 31, 2020
- Messages
- 1,386
This one I would guess as Sim x. The black white face is who looks Holstein x Hereford.
farmerjan
Well-known member
Very possible it is a Normande cross. When used on Holsteins, the cross is often blk and white chrome like this. Normande puts a chunkier build on and yet they milk really good and are very good as graziers. Often times you will see a jersey/hol cross with the "irregular" blk and white markings too... but the heads are usually more/all black or dark brownish... and the dairy head comes out more.
I'm playing catch up here but did they ever take to the salt and mineral?
Calves usually go right for the salt. If I am feeding cubes or some kind of feed in those troughs like you have I will put salt and mineral in the bottom and just feed on top. They will take to it pretty quick.
That's kind of the benefit of a multi-min shot at weaning when you work them. You know they got some thing in their system until they get settled in on free choice.
Calves usually go right for the salt. If I am feeding cubes or some kind of feed in those troughs like you have I will put salt and mineral in the bottom and just feed on top. They will take to it pretty quick.
That's kind of the benefit of a multi-min shot at weaning when you work them. You know they got some thing in their system until they get settled in on free choice.
OP
OP
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Me too!!Need an update Murray.
At the moment I'm leaning towards holding this little group til November in hopes of folks needing them for wheat pasture grazers. But I've also thought about selling alllll calves before end of month. Still thinking on it.
Funny story. I found out why they wouldn't go near the mineral feeder. The same reason I haven't went near it again. And that's wasps from hell!!! It'll be fall before I even get near it again. I've developed some sort of allergy to them suckers. Last time I about passed out. Or felt like I was going to anyway. I've been feeding them a bit twice a week and leave some mineral in the trough afterwards. It's always gone when I feed the next time!
I'm checking the 2nd group this evening. I'll snap a few pics. Even the beltie if she comes in....
Last edited:
