Any money in Jersey Bull Calves?

[brandonlexe]

Decided to buy 6 Jersey Bull calves from a dairy for 25$ a piece. Was wondering if theres absolutely any money in these. Bottle feeding now and they are going good. When would be a good time to sell them? I thought maybe once theyre done bottle feeding then sell them or feed them for 3 months then sell

 

[Muddy]

Maybe three years ago when the cattle prices were high, but right now they don't bring much at the sale barns.

 

[Bigfoot]

Dairies should give away jerseys, and include 2 bags of milk replacer.

 

[ddd75]

get them up to around 300 lbs and take them in to a saturday sale.

 

[cowboy43]

:Growing bottle calves will be a good experience and education for you. How do you plan to market them? The feed cost and medicines for 3 months will be more than the selling price, but you will have fun losing money. You did not give your location, most locations their is not a market for them, you can always eat them. :2cents:

 

[Muddy]

get them up to around 300 lbs and take them in to a saturday sale.

That if you like to lost so much money to get them up to 300lbs.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

Best money I made on a jersey calf was as a roping calf,training a horse,just tracking it around the arena at slow pace...it layed down and my horse stepped on its rear leg, broke it,healed it up and carried it to the stock yard..where they ran a big bull over it broke right above the last brake..they paid me for him and let me take him back home where I healed him up again and resold him to a individual....

 

[kenny thomas]

They are good eating at 1000lb but takes a long time to get them there.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

They are good eating at 1000lb but takes a long time to get them there.

if they don't kill you first...a sweeter calf ain't made. But let em get some age on em..

 

[skeeter swatter]

There is good money in them if you finish them.
Jersey feeders don't bring much, but if you sell grade and yield they sell right with the colored fats.
Better yet sell halves and quarters.

 

[OwnedByTheCow]

Raise them to 6 months. Talk to a local restaurant, like one of those not chain restaurants and you will have a very tender meat. Save one for yourself too!

 

[Rafter S]

One thing I don't believe anyone has mentioned: you should probably turn those Jersey bull calves into Jersey steer calves.

 

[cowboy43]

I do not know of any restaurant that will buy meat from an individual. Too many health factors.

 

[OwnedByTheCow]

There is a butcher in my area that will slaughter animals then in their refrigerated truck bring them to where you need them to go.

 

[Muddy]

Raise them to 6 months. Talk to a local restaurant, like one of those not chain restaurants and you will have a very tender meat. Save one for yourself too!

Problem is that many Jersey cuts are smaller than the average beef cut. This isn't first time for someone who tried selling Jersey beef to restaurants.

 

[M.Magis]

I do not know of any restaurant that will buy meat from an individual. Too many health factors.

Many do. Obviously it has to pass USDA inspection.

 

[OwnedByTheCow]

That's true. I'm lucky, there is a local "Local farm restaurant" that will buy anything fro anyone if I were to butter it up and make it sound nice.

 

[wacocowboy]

Like others have said fatten them up and take to slaughter house then fill your freezer and eat like a king. Ribeye and eggs is a darn good breakfast.

 

[farmerjan]

I get jersey bull calves from a dairy for $10 to $20 each. Put them on nurse cows and raise them up as there is too much milk replacer in them to get it back. Around here there is very little market for them except for the individuals that want one or two to raise for beef for themselves. Best time to sell is in the spring here, in the 4-600 lb size. Usually bring in the .70/lb range so a 500 lb calf is worth $350 to $400. You've got that in them.
MAKE THEM STEERS or there is next to no market for them.

 

[dave_shelby]

jan don't you raise Jersey cows?