Texas PaPaw
Well-known member
I'm trying to figure out how minimize shrink on calves sold at the sale barn. Seems they always sell all drawed up. Grazing green grass & it runs thru quickly. Have tried bringing to the sale the day before & having hay fed & that doesn't seem to help as they are pulled from the hay pens in the early AM but don't sell before 3:30 pm or later. Calves are sold in the order they are consigned, which is a plus for prior day delivery. Owner says he will reserve low number backtags if I call the day before so calves can sell early.
Am thinking about putting calves on a fresh round bale the day before sale & hauling them in late AM on sale day after they have had their morning fill. Am hoping this hay will stay with them until they sell. Also, I want to be sure and not have them too full when they sell as the buyers really hammer you on over filled animals. Don't want to sell too full just with average fill. Should I put them on the round bale 24 hrs before sale? 12 hrs? 36hrs? Any other ideas.
I appreciate your thoughts & suggestions.
Good luck & happy trails.
Brock
Am thinking about putting calves on a fresh round bale the day before sale & hauling them in late AM on sale day after they have had their morning fill. Am hoping this hay will stay with them until they sell. Also, I want to be sure and not have them too full when they sell as the buyers really hammer you on over filled animals. Don't want to sell too full just with average fill. Should I put them on the round bale 24 hrs before sale? 12 hrs? 36hrs? Any other ideas.
I appreciate your thoughts & suggestions.
Good luck & happy trails.
Brock