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Dairy and Dairy Cross Calves Raised for Beef
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<blockquote data-quote="farmerjan" data-source="post: 1466787" data-attributes="member: 25884"><p>It would be nice if a dairy would raise the calves up to weaning and eating good. But realize that staight dairy calves CANNOT just be turned out on grass or fed just hay from weaning to about 5-600 lbs. The bulls/steers will be pot gutted, and do very poorly because they have been bred for so long to need higher protein and supplements in order for them to grow well. The heifers will have poor growth and not be able to reach their potential as a milk cow. Once I wean, they will get some grain and good hay or pasture until they are near a year. Then the jerseys will do pretty good on just grass. But they still will never gain like a beef breed animal that has been developed and encouraged to "rustle their own grub". </p><p>Realize too that the hardest part of raising a dairy calf is the first 3 months. And the most costly. And due to that and many having space restrictions, few dairies will raise up their bull calves. Those that do, figure that they will keep them until they are in the 7-900 lb size. Most do it to "pay the taxes" as they say. Then the steers will go to someone who will either graze them up to 1200 and then finish them, or they will go directly to a finisher who will put them on feed.</p><p></p><p>Getting good nurse cows is the trick. Not all cows will take other calves. I find that the ones I raise from calves often are more accepting than the ones I have bought. But not always. My guernseys tend to be more accepting, but these last few 3/4 jersey 1/4 holsteins have been sweethearts. Up until this last jersey, I have had pretty good luck with them. I did not raise this one but bought her as a bred heifer with a bad quarter for cull price. She had been bred AI and had a jersey heifer, so I got a good deal. The heifer has recently been bred, so am hoping to have better luck with her. I also try to get all my nurse cows to accept being milked by hand in case I need to do so for any reason. It makes it a little easier to get them to let the calves on them because they are used to being fooled with.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="farmerjan, post: 1466787, member: 25884"] It would be nice if a dairy would raise the calves up to weaning and eating good. But realize that staight dairy calves CANNOT just be turned out on grass or fed just hay from weaning to about 5-600 lbs. The bulls/steers will be pot gutted, and do very poorly because they have been bred for so long to need higher protein and supplements in order for them to grow well. The heifers will have poor growth and not be able to reach their potential as a milk cow. Once I wean, they will get some grain and good hay or pasture until they are near a year. Then the jerseys will do pretty good on just grass. But they still will never gain like a beef breed animal that has been developed and encouraged to "rustle their own grub". Realize too that the hardest part of raising a dairy calf is the first 3 months. And the most costly. And due to that and many having space restrictions, few dairies will raise up their bull calves. Those that do, figure that they will keep them until they are in the 7-900 lb size. Most do it to "pay the taxes" as they say. Then the steers will go to someone who will either graze them up to 1200 and then finish them, or they will go directly to a finisher who will put them on feed. Getting good nurse cows is the trick. Not all cows will take other calves. I find that the ones I raise from calves often are more accepting than the ones I have bought. But not always. My guernseys tend to be more accepting, but these last few 3/4 jersey 1/4 holsteins have been sweethearts. Up until this last jersey, I have had pretty good luck with them. I did not raise this one but bought her as a bred heifer with a bad quarter for cull price. She had been bred AI and had a jersey heifer, so I got a good deal. The heifer has recently been bred, so am hoping to have better luck with her. I also try to get all my nurse cows to accept being milked by hand in case I need to do so for any reason. It makes it a little easier to get them to let the calves on them because they are used to being fooled with. [/QUOTE]
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