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Cow/Calf Wannabe Retired in Alabama
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<blockquote data-quote="farmerjan" data-source="post: 1826431" data-attributes="member: 25884"><p>Welcome to the forum. One thing I will tell you... I raised bottle calves for years and they could be a good way to get into it without alot of input. HOWEVER... today bottle calves are costing $200-500 each here. Good quality milk replacer is running $100 a 50 lb bag and you will need 2 bags to get the calf to weaning (6-10 weeks)... add to that is good calf quality grain that is costing $10-20 a 50 lb bag... and calves need more grain/protein than hay/grass as their rumens are developing. You will have a minimum of $400 in the calf at 8-10 weeks. </p><p>You would be further ahead to buy a couple of weaned calves so that the bottle feeding is bypassed and the pitfalls for someone who is not experienced with it.... and don't raise one alone, they do much better with a buddy... herd animal..... and then at least you can go with the grain and hay feeding. </p><p>The cost of weaned calves is $1.50-3.00 a lb right now... different areas different prices.... this is a very tough time to get started in them....</p><p>I am not trying to be negative, but if you can pay your costs you will be lucky. We have been in the cattle industry for over 50 years, many members on here been doing it for family generations... we have other jobs and they have helped us to do what we like but it is not something we are making alot of money from. It is a good side "job" and a way to enjoy the farm and way of life. </p><p>10 acres will not support very many head and you will have to do as much rotational grazing as possible to best utilize the grass. </p><p></p><p>Hoping some from the "deeper south" areas can chime in to help you...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="farmerjan, post: 1826431, member: 25884"] Welcome to the forum. One thing I will tell you... I raised bottle calves for years and they could be a good way to get into it without alot of input. HOWEVER... today bottle calves are costing $200-500 each here. Good quality milk replacer is running $100 a 50 lb bag and you will need 2 bags to get the calf to weaning (6-10 weeks)... add to that is good calf quality grain that is costing $10-20 a 50 lb bag... and calves need more grain/protein than hay/grass as their rumens are developing. You will have a minimum of $400 in the calf at 8-10 weeks. You would be further ahead to buy a couple of weaned calves so that the bottle feeding is bypassed and the pitfalls for someone who is not experienced with it.... and don't raise one alone, they do much better with a buddy... herd animal..... and then at least you can go with the grain and hay feeding. The cost of weaned calves is $1.50-3.00 a lb right now... different areas different prices.... this is a very tough time to get started in them.... I am not trying to be negative, but if you can pay your costs you will be lucky. We have been in the cattle industry for over 50 years, many members on here been doing it for family generations... we have other jobs and they have helped us to do what we like but it is not something we are making alot of money from. It is a good side "job" and a way to enjoy the farm and way of life. 10 acres will not support very many head and you will have to do as much rotational grazing as possible to best utilize the grass. Hoping some from the "deeper south" areas can chime in to help you... [/QUOTE]
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