A
Anonymous
After reading cattle posts daily over the past months, I've noticed there are a lot of posts with problem cattle from health standpoint. Now I know that the messageboard sample is but one speck in the universe of the cattle population. Anyway, I wanted to offer a few suggestions to any new purchasers of cattle. They are:
[1] Always go to the place you are buying from to inspect their operation, set-up, handling, and sanitation program.
[2] If the price on a bovine (or any other animal) is too good to be true, there is probably a problem with the animal.
[3] Unless you are knowledgable about cattle, who is selling them (and their operation) and have a very good eye for an animal's condition, by VERY cautious about buying anything from a sale barn! We don't send our best cattle there.
[4] If you don't know the reputation of the seller and their quality of operation, always have an independent Vet check any expensive animal; and, request a health certificate (and vaccination record if you can get one) on any animal you plan to purchase.
[5] The "better livestock auctions" (selling quality and/or registered breeds) can "generally" be trusted to sell quality animals.
[6] Avoid buying any animal from a "backyard cattle mill" or any place where sanitation and condition of the operation is sub-standard.
[7] For what it's worth, we raise registered Texas Longhorns. We always buy from above-average breeders and obtain health information on all animals. In the past 2 years we have only had ONE brief incidence of a calf problem--she got diarrhea--this was promptly corrected with some bolus pills the Vet gave us.
[8] In the long run, it "costs no more to go first class." An animal that costs $800 can well be 100 times more quality and healthy than one costing $400. The difference in Vet and medication and frustration can well eat up the difference in price and more. (This price comparison is just an example, no more).
[email protected]
[1] Always go to the place you are buying from to inspect their operation, set-up, handling, and sanitation program.
[2] If the price on a bovine (or any other animal) is too good to be true, there is probably a problem with the animal.
[3] Unless you are knowledgable about cattle, who is selling them (and their operation) and have a very good eye for an animal's condition, by VERY cautious about buying anything from a sale barn! We don't send our best cattle there.
[4] If you don't know the reputation of the seller and their quality of operation, always have an independent Vet check any expensive animal; and, request a health certificate (and vaccination record if you can get one) on any animal you plan to purchase.
[5] The "better livestock auctions" (selling quality and/or registered breeds) can "generally" be trusted to sell quality animals.
[6] Avoid buying any animal from a "backyard cattle mill" or any place where sanitation and condition of the operation is sub-standard.
[7] For what it's worth, we raise registered Texas Longhorns. We always buy from above-average breeders and obtain health information on all animals. In the past 2 years we have only had ONE brief incidence of a calf problem--she got diarrhea--this was promptly corrected with some bolus pills the Vet gave us.
[8] In the long run, it "costs no more to go first class." An animal that costs $800 can well be 100 times more quality and healthy than one costing $400. The difference in Vet and medication and frustration can well eat up the difference in price and more. (This price comparison is just an example, no more).
[email protected]
