bought calves

[crossbredcalves]

I bought some calves Wednesday. I have been wanting to buy some calves to grow out for a while, so I finally did it. I bought 10 head, 8 heifers and 2 steers. 2 blacks, 3 yellows, 1 red, 2 BWF, 2 RWF. (4) are weighing about 250 and (6) are weighing about 350.

As of this morning, no coughing, snotty noses or runs. We wormed them all with pour-on wormer (name escapes me). We gave them a tetanus shot and a shot of LA200.

I separated them by weight. They are all in stalls with runs for the next week or two and then I will be moving them to a small pasture. I want to keep them at my house for a couple weeks before I move them to my rent pasture, which is about 5 miles down the road.

They all look like they are going to be pretty good calves, although they are all just crossbred calves. I plan on keeping them for about a year and then selling the steers and most of the heifers.

I already have 6 heifers making up my calving group, so I will see how they do before I decide to keep anything from this new group. I will get pics on here as soon as I get them taken.

I am excited. This is a step in a new direction for me.

 

[cross_7]

good luck to you.
just some friendly advice
i like to put them on wheat pasture or good green grass(depending on the time of year summer/winter) to entice them to start eating.
i feel like getting those fly weight calves to start eating is the most important thing.
if you have them in stalls, i would try good quality grass hay.
i don't like your choice of la200, but thats you business
again good luck and there are several people on this board with lots of experience, so don't hesitate ask if you have trouble.

 

[novatech]

If you put a pencil to it you may decide to sell them after they have gone through their growth spurt , about 700 lbs. Take the money and buy some good, proven bred cows. Growing them out, getting them bred and waiting for a calf can get expensive when you consider the time factor.
Good luck with your venture, I hope they turn out.

 

[bigbull338]

congrats on your new calves.hope they work out for you.

 

[talldog]

Good Luck on your endeavor !!!!! Don't forget to ask questions, if needed ! :tiphat:

 

[Aero]

If you put a pencil to it you may decide to sell them after they have gone through their growth spurt , about 700 lbs. Take the money and buy some good, proven bred cows. Growing them out, getting them bred and waiting for a calf can get expensive when you consider the time factor.
Good luck with your venture, I hope they turn out.

it seems that on a regular basis, you can usually get a bred 3 yr old cow cheaper than a bred heifer of the same quality.

 

[novatech]

it seems that on a regular basis, you can usually get a bred 3 yr old cow cheaper than a bred heifer of the same quality.

I went to a replacement sale yesterday. Open heifers, the good ones, were bringing more than good bred 3's. 5's with a calf on the side , bred back were also bringing less. I have to admit there is nothing prettier that a fat heifer but I would always prefer a cow that has proven herself. The 3 for's are what I didn't understand.

 

[Stocker Steve]

it seems that on a regular basis, you can usually get a bred 3 yr old cow cheaper than a bred heifer of the same quality.

Selling heifers and buying back cows will usually generate some extra cash, but how often do you see good young cows at an auction barn?