Have to make a decision re: a barren cow . . .

[Kathie in Thorp]

In 2009, I purchased a reg'd British White cow -- a big girl! She had a nice heifer calf for us in 2010. She did not take with AI for a calf this year. She has front-end problems -- more body than she has legs to support (some recent post, on another thread, talked about legs -- they need to have legs to support them!). She's uncomfortable, moves slow. I don't want her to suffer, and I don't want to do hit-and-miss and maybe re-create that problem. I don't have a huge "attachment" to her, except for the $$ paid, because she's never been a NICE cow -- she can be ornery and chargie and bytchie.

I'm guessing she's about 1,600 lbs. today.

So, my question: If I took her in to the sale at Toppenish (see link below), what class would I put her in for Butcher Cows?

http://www.toppenishlivestock.com

Hate this . . . . I really f'in hate this!

 

[tsmaxx47]

cutters and canners

 

[hillsdown]

Don't they decide that at the sale barn ?

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

This cow is 7-8 yrs. I don't know how they decide it. Just wondering what those of you who know more than me would grade her.

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

And, yes, I know I don't get to pick how she's graded!

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

OR -- Slaughter her if individual buyers are interested in halves, as a burger/crock pot roasts, grass/hay fed cow.

 

[hillsdown]

If she is in good shape and nice and fleshy she will go for top price if she has visible problems walking they may be concerned with her being able to make the ride to the slaughter facilities . So your guess is as good as anyone's.

 

[3waycross]

Don't worry about how to grade her Kathie. you have given plenty of reasons to cull her. Haul her and forget her. Believe me I know it only hurts for a little while.

I'm in the same position on a couple. They are gone no matter what.

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

She walks -- not fast; she's sore, and you can tell by looking at her that she is. OMG, this was one of the first 2 cows I ever bought. So, then, I'm going through, "Did I make wrong decisions then?" But, I guess that's how we learn, right?! I'm up to taking the lumps on the learning curve.

 

[Dave]

You just drop her off. That grade/class is something they do in reporting not in how they sell animals. When they sell cull cows they just run them through in the order that they will work through the door and buyers bid. There is no announcement just selling.

Believe me we have all taken more than a few lumps on that learning curve. The first one I owned was over 50 years ago and still take a lump every now and then.

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

Dave - I know I can't pick the "grade" I'd like to see her in. Was just wondering what you guys/gals thought, based on her description, vs./relative to the Toppenish categories of market cattle. Wouldn't it be nice if we could "pick" ?!

 

[MO_cows]

If you are feeling tender hearted about her, it might be a "kinder gentler" experience for her to load up from home and make a short haul to your local processor. That would be a lotta hamburger, hope you have a big family.

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

MO-cows -- We eat a lot of burger and a lot of crock pot roasts! Am thinking towards that direction. What we don't eat -- the food bank loves.

 

[cowpunk'd]

If you've decided she has to go this is probably a moot point but... if she has failed to concieve after a single a.i attempt (you didn't say how many times she was a.ied) she is most likely not a barren cow, she is an open cow. If she was bred, would you keep her around? Can you borrow a bull?

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

Cowpunk'd -- You're right -- she's "open." Besides not having taken via AI last year (and then I didn't preg check her -- my bad), she has structural problems. And she's NOT a nice cow! If she/you have a disagreement, she tears up the ground around her with her tail straight in the air like a Buff bull. Can't get near a calf on the ground with her. The decision has been made, with her. We have better cows. And she's done nothing to support an emotional attachment.