Thinking about getting a few. They will be castrated ASAP. I may or may not eat one later, but, a Big But, what is the market for a weaned jersey steer? Is it possible to make a modest profit by weaning them as rapidly as prudent and then selling them. I think I can buy them right, but, then what?
Jersey bull bottle calves-seeking advice
- Thread starter chronic
- Start date
Arkansas
Well-known member
chronic":3fmi4r40 said:
Then you smoke the chronic and let the doe roll in :lol:
J&D Cattle
Well-known member
I've never raised a Jersey bottle calf but buy several Jersey steers each year in the 400-500lb range to feed out for slaughter. I love the meat as does my customers. You will get dinged bad at the sale barn though in comparison to a beef steer. You might have luck selling them private party once they reach weaning age. Good luck.
backhoeboogie
Well-known member
You will be money ahead to go to the sale barn and buy split calves off of aged pairs. Usually it is an older cow and not much bidding is going on. They'll split the calf off and sell the cow by the pound. You can then buy that calf. Ideally you will get one that is about a week old. Much better than a day old dairy calf in my opinion.
cow pollinater
Well-known member
The big calf ranches pay $5 for them and that's a recent change of events related directly to the price of beef lately. Before that they were free and alot of guys just knocked them in the head as dayolds because there is no money in them as steers... AND THAT'S WITH FREE HOSPITAL MILK.
By the time you pump a bunch of milk replacer into them and then a little grain and fine hay, you're going to lose your butt selling them and that's if they all live. If you lose one, and you likely will, his input costs have to be absorbed by the rest of them and there's not much profit to begin with.
Holsteins are a better choice, beef calves from a split pair as already suggested is the best choice.
By the time you pump a bunch of milk replacer into them and then a little grain and fine hay, you're going to lose your butt selling them and that's if they all live. If you lose one, and you likely will, his input costs have to be absorbed by the rest of them and there's not much profit to begin with.
Holsteins are a better choice, beef calves from a split pair as already suggested is the best choice.
Craig Miller
Well-known member
Not sure about where you are but I dont think you could make a profit if they were give to you in alabama
Grass-Fed
Member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2011
- Messages
- 24
My grandfather always said "A Jersey bull calf is not worth the time it takes to knock them in the head." That being said, the guy I get my Jersey milk from sells his day old Jersey bull calfs for 75 bucks each. 150-300lb steers are going for $150-290ctw at my stock yard. If you start out buying the calf at below half price and knowing it will take almost as long to get to half the size and the math still works out then go for it. another advantage of Jersey beef is becouse they will not get super big, they work well long term for the family looking to provide beef just for the family.
Jason
Jason
A
Anonymous
I just got back from haulin some holstein steers for my neighbor. 575lbs ea and he got a whopping .50/lb for em. buyer said the only way to do worse is if they were jerseys
chippie
Well-known member
hooknline":2egi693h said:
Taurus
Well-known member
Speaking of dairy steers, where are their meat going? To supermarkets? I'm under the impression that nearly all steaks in supermarkets are CAB.
chippie
Well-known member
probably hamburger.
suzorse
Well-known member
Holstiens sell pretty good here, here is the last market report for the sale I go to
this is for Holstiens only Suzanne
Class
Weight
Ave Price
Top Price
Steers Wt.
200-300
300-400
99.25
100.00
400-500
80.25
96.00
500-600
55.75
70.00
600-700
95.75
99.00
700-800
69.50
86.50
800 and up
85.50
96.50
Heifers Wt.
200-300
300-400
400-500
77.00
84.00
500-600
81.50
81.50
600-700
78.50
85.00
700-800
62.75
72.00
800-and up
88.00
95.25
Cow Wt.
700-800
800-900
900-2000
46.50
59.00
Bull Cf. Wt.
200-300
300-400
400-500
500-600
600-700
70.00
70.00
700-800
57.00
57.00
800-900
Bulls Wt.
900 and Up
55.25
67.75
Hfr. Cf. Hd
100-200
200-300
145.00
175.00
300-400
205.00
240.00
Bull Cf. Hd
100-200
200-300
300-400
Str. Cf. Hd
100-200
105.00
200-300
210.00
300-400
200.00
200.00
this is for Holstiens only Suzanne
Class
Weight
Ave Price
Top Price
Steers Wt.
200-300
300-400
99.25
100.00
400-500
80.25
96.00
500-600
55.75
70.00
600-700
95.75
99.00
700-800
69.50
86.50
800 and up
85.50
96.50
Heifers Wt.
200-300
300-400
400-500
77.00
84.00
500-600
81.50
81.50
600-700
78.50
85.00
700-800
62.75
72.00
800-and up
88.00
95.25
Cow Wt.
700-800
800-900
900-2000
46.50
59.00
Bull Cf. Wt.
200-300
300-400
400-500
500-600
600-700
70.00
70.00
700-800
57.00
57.00
800-900
Bulls Wt.
900 and Up
55.25
67.75
Hfr. Cf. Hd
100-200
200-300
145.00
175.00
300-400
205.00
240.00
Bull Cf. Hd
100-200
200-300
300-400
Str. Cf. Hd
100-200
105.00
200-300
210.00
300-400
200.00
200.00
ThaBlueRidge
New member
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2012
- Messages
- 2
Holsteins.
They grow bigger/faster and bring more money.
Jersey calves aren't bad to experiment with but when you try to make money go with all Holsteins.
Now Jersey cows on the other hand...
They grow bigger/faster and bring more money.
Jersey calves aren't bad to experiment with but when you try to make money go with all Holsteins.
Now Jersey cows on the other hand...
Tim/South
Well-known member
I attempted to raise 19 Jersey steers one summer. 14 made it. This was a summer project for my two children when they were younger. Jersey calves are hard to keep alive, especially during the summer. My Vet friend reminded me why the calves were given away during the summer months.
They brought .42 cents per lb at the auction that fall. I was attempting to show my kids that there was money to be made. Taught them the opposite.
I had raised bottle Holsteins as a teen and did well. A Jersey has no fight to live in there make up. A holstein has a tougher constitution.
I have momma cows now. i raise a few beef bred bottle calves not and then if they are reasonably priced at the auction.
I will never again bottle raise a Jersey.
I understand some of the ethnic groups like Jersey as that is what they had in the old country. I can just not see where the income would match the out put unless they were willing to pay more than market value.
They brought .42 cents per lb at the auction that fall. I was attempting to show my kids that there was money to be made. Taught them the opposite.
I had raised bottle Holsteins as a teen and did well. A Jersey has no fight to live in there make up. A holstein has a tougher constitution.
I have momma cows now. i raise a few beef bred bottle calves not and then if they are reasonably priced at the auction.
I will never again bottle raise a Jersey.
I understand some of the ethnic groups like Jersey as that is what they had in the old country. I can just not see where the income would match the out put unless they were willing to pay more than market value.
