Buying a lightweight calf
- Thread starter Hereford2
- Start date
Help Support CattleToday:
Travlr
Well-known member
Can you buy it and leave it on the cow? I don't bottle feed if I can avoid it. I'd rather buy the pair and sell the cow later. And $300 for a 1/4 Jersey calf might be high.
Last edited:
kenny thomas
Well-known member
3/4 South pole, 1/4 jersey, bull calf, 6 weeks old, not weaned, $300. All a no. $50 if you have kids wanting a bottle calf
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
IF it were a heifer I'd like to raise for a keeper, 200 tops!
I'd 9nly be interested in a bull calf to steer and sell later. Definitely less than 200. Especially if I had to bottle it
I'd 9nly be interested in a bull calf to steer and sell later. Definitely less than 200. Especially if I had to bottle it
Son of Butch
Well-known member
My first thought was penguins?
What the heck is a South Pole, must mean Red Poll.
OSU. lists over 250 cattle breeds and South Poll isn't on the list.
Turns out South Poll is a composite breed of Barzona - Red Angus - Senepol
to produce 1,000 lb cows bred for heat tolerance and grazing.
I don't think adding Jersey to the mix to keep as a breeding bull is a benefit.
So for a 6 week old 1/4 jersey 3/4 beef bull calf/steer.... 1.50 lb
If/when he weighs 150 lbs x 1.50 = $225
(and I think I'm being generous)
or buy him when he's weaned, castrated and vaccinated for $600
if you like or plan on raising grass fed beef.
Last edited:
Hereford2
Well-known member
I generally pay $200 to $250 for an all beef bottle calf. I thought the price was high on this calf, especially since I'd just be raising him to resell later and I don't know how much of the Jersey is going to show up later?? But I thought I'd ask. I've thought about trying to buy bottle calves at the sale barn, because, I think at times I could get a good deal, but I can't keep up with the auctioneer lol and last time I went they were selling for $300, Soo if I can get a calf private party for less than the barn I'm going to buy private party. I haven't found anyone yet who wants to teach me the auction lingo either lol
wbvs58
Well-known member
Hereford2
Well-known member
Because I have been raising bottle calves for 7 years now and I have raised a few beef calves a year on the bottle until weaned then I raised them until they were 8plus months old, . But this year I decided to do it on a slightly larger scale and I'm trying to get a group of calves together that are the same age. I already have 1 group of 3 another group of 4 and I'm trying to put together another small group of younger calves. I know this is small potatoes compared to a lot of you raising calves, but Im trying to start somewhere. I like bottle feeding calves, so that part of it doesn't bother me. I want to try small, keep track of my expenses and see if it pencils out.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
You have a good plan but a suggestion would be since you are already trying to get them in groups, also try to make the groups as consistent as possible. Groups usually sell better than singles.
Hereford2
Well-known member
So same color, same size as much as possible?
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Yes, and same sex. A good group of heifers sells well but the same color and size steer will be a little higher. They will drink and eat about the same.
Hereford2
Well-known member
Thank you! For your advice,. Any advice is appreciated...
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
I have found the key, like most things, is in buying them right! And having a place to go with em ahead of time. As in... a place/person to sell em to.
And I'm not afraid to sell em 2 weeks after I get em if the price is right too. Holding them 2 or 3 weeks to get em straight takes a LOT of risk out of it for the folks that buy from me. And that's worth money in my book.
I lost one here a while back within a matter of hours of purchase. That hurt a little. Especially since I gave a few bucks more than I wanted to.
And I'm not afraid to sell em 2 weeks after I get em if the price is right too. Holding them 2 or 3 weeks to get em straight takes a LOT of risk out of it for the folks that buy from me. And that's worth money in my book.
I lost one here a while back within a matter of hours of purchase. That hurt a little. Especially since I gave a few bucks more than I wanted to.
Hpacres440p
Well-known member
At 6 weeks, what is the probability of successful transition to a bottle? I would think either much younger or older (closer to real weaning) would be the better risk.
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
50/ 50!
He will either take a bottle or he won't !
If he's big enough, he could probly go right to grass and grain. Or maybe a bucket of milk
Travlr
Well-known member
Looks like you made the decision before you posted the question. Against pretty much all the advice you've received.
Hpacres440p
Well-known member
@Travlr You responded to the wrong person. I was asking hypotheticals about likelihood of actual transitioning a calf that young. I have no interest in bottle calves or anything younger than a good 4 months old.
Travlr
Well-known member
My bad... apologies.
MurraysMutts
Well-known member
Hahah!
Both yalls name start with a capital H
And similar in length.
It happens. I didn't even notice either!
I thought @Hereford2 went ahead and pulled the trigger. Ain't nothing wrong it. Feed is cheaper than milk anyway. And it's all fun. I like the little calves myself. USUALLY easy to handle. And if ya can get em calmed down and straight, they sell well.
