Yes, dairy cross calves will not gain much at all on grass only, They need grain.bighorn":al4tv104 said:Meaning Grain? Is it the dairy cross that makes feed required?
You could probably get by with an average of 5lbs a day if your going to have them 6 months starting when there around 10 weeks.bighorn":vembc4su said:Very interesting. will need to recaulate things since grain is going to be an added cost. at 7lbs a day at say $13 per 100lbs. That comes out to about $28 a month per calf = about $196 for 7mos. If i have my numbers right.
Here's a little more, I've never done this but another guy here that buys about 800 350lb to 500lb dairy calves every fall does. He feeds them to 850lbs, but at the size he's buying he feeds them about 6 to 8lbs but only every other day and is feeding corn mids, it has been proven that with good grass every other day can work out. You wouldn't want to start doing that until they were up around 350lbs though.bighorn":1d5btdsp said:Thanks for all your input. Got something to chew on.
He buys in October and November mostly 350lbs to 450lbs but goes both ways of that a little, and will start selling in April at 850 to 900lbs.bighorn":2k8ziv92 said:How long does he hold on to them?
denvermartinfarms":e04t5z55 said:On those kind of calves you can't get by on grass alone, you will need to keep them on some feed the whole time.bighorn":e04t5z55 said:They are Angus/holstein cross and they have some Murray Gray cross. We are in the pacific northwest, are looking at putting them out on grass from april to October then taking them to auction.
NC Liz":2a4jjwwg said:....They should be receiving all the antibodies and immunity they need from the cows milk....liz
bighorn":1it3ybup said:regolith,
Thanks, very good info. We are not going to have any cows to clean up after calves, but we are going to split the pasture into 5- 5 ac tracts. Will just have to make sure they get moved when best grass is eaten.
sounds like you keep your calves on feed for 6-7 months?
Yes, you can get away with it, by you will be leaving money on the table. As long as you are feeding decent gaining calves feed makes money, and if there not gaining with feed there sure not going to make you anything on nothing but grass.bighorn":1y9dcqw1 said:Ok looks like we need to sit down and work on a rotating/haying plan.
How old are they?
Question: If I run straight beef will I be able to get away with just grazing on grass after they are say 4mos?
Thanks
Yep, I wouldn't feed less than 4lbs a day. Again, with the right cattle you can do ok with grass, but why go to the trouble to buy cattle and not let them make as much as they can for you, to me feed is an investment just like the calves are.bighorn":20gxseks said:So which ever way I go I need to be feeding grain. With beef do you feed the same amount 4-5lbs a day?
With what your wanting, I would go with beef. I believe there more economical and make the most for what you put in.bighorn":21sfoaqa said:Thats were we want to start at 200-300lb and take them to 600 to 800lbs. I see your point on grain, after talking to you and doing research on avg weight gain was not sure we could get them there on just grass.
Thanks