<br>(User Above)":34vz4cp6 said:: I am looking into getting a jersey cow and buying a couple of baby heifer calves for her to raise. Just wondering if it's worth it, or is it too much trouble. They will be next to my house on 3 acres, so I will be able to keep a good eye on them.<p>you darn right it worth jerseys are my favorite breed in the world!!!!!!11
<br>(User Above)":2y1wvvi9 said:: I am looking into getting a jersey cow and buying a couple of baby heifer calves for her to raise. Just wondering if it's worth it, or is it too much trouble. They will be next to my house on 3 acres, so I will be able to keep a good eye on them.<p>To us, cattle are enjoyable; but keep in mind, most enjoyable things require some work. I can see at least one benefit - you should not have to cut the 3 acres of grass. Things you may want to keep in mind. You may need (or have to hire your vet w/his portable chute) a facility to "work"/medicate/vaccinate. A possible source for winter feed (hay). A feed bunk & hay ring & possibly a small trailer for hauling. <p>I have heard good things about Jerseys. We raise Angus, so I could tell you all kinds of wonderful things about them. You may want to consider instead of a couple of heifers, maybe one steer calf (of coarse, I would recommend an angus or angus cross)(& a heifer). You could raise your own beef (if you or your family wouldn't have a problem eating Norman the pet steer) - it is hard to beat the taste & flavor of home raised beef. <p>It is only when things go wrong or your heifers are prowling to calve in freezing rain or during a 40 mph with a -40 windchill that you ask yourself (at around 2am) why am I doing this? Also it is a little hard to take a vacation unless someone does your daily chores while you're away (it's not too bad in the summer, except for possible pinkeye).<p>Best of Luck. I'll warn you though, they can be addictive - we started out with 3 hobby cows & now have close to 50 mommas - so much for a hobby, it is now a business.
<br>(User Above)":1sql23nw said:: : I am looking into getting a jersey cow and buying a couple of baby heifer calves for her to raise. Just wondering if it's worth it, or is it too much trouble. They will be next to my house on 3 acres, so I will be able to keep a good eye on them.<p>: To us, cattle are enjoyable; but keep in mind, most enjoyable things require some work. I can see at least one benefit - you should not have to cut the 3 acres of grass. Things you may want to keep in mind. You may need (or have to hire your vet w/his portable chute) a facility to "work"/medicate/vaccinate. A possible source for winter feed (hay). A feed bunk & hay ring & possibly a small trailer for hauling. <p>: I have heard good things about Jerseys. We raise Angus, so I could tell you all kinds of wonderful things about them. You may want to consider instead of a couple of heifers, maybe one steer calf (of coarse, I would recommend an angus or angus cross)(& a heifer). You could raise your own beef (if you or your family wouldn't have a problem eating Norman the pet steer) - it is hard to beat the taste & flavor of home raised beef. <p>: It is only when things go wrong or your heifers are prowling to calve in freezing rain or during a 40 mph with a -40 windchill that you ask yourself (at around 2am) why am I doing this? Also it is a little hard to take a vacation unless someone does your daily chores while you're away (it's not too bad in the summer, except for possible pinkeye).<p>: Best of Luck. I'll warn you though, they can be addictive - we started out with 3 hobby cows & now have close to 50 mommas - so much for a hobby, it is now a business.<p>I have about 80 cattle and pens now (not on my 3 acres by my house, but on 220 acres at my farm), and I keep all my heifers, I was just kinda of wanting to raise some instead of going all over Texas buying from auctions. Just something to mess with around the house.<p>
<br>(User Above)":2jjiqqx6 said:: : : I am looking into getting a jersey cow and buying a couple of baby heifer calves for her to raise. Just wondering if it's worth it, or is it too much trouble. They will be next to my house on 3 acres, so I will be able to keep a good eye on them.<p>: : To us, cattle are enjoyable; but keep in mind, most enjoyable things require some work. I can see at least one benefit - you should not have to cut the 3 acres of grass. Things you may want to keep in mind. You may need (or have to hire your vet w/his portable chute) a facility to "work"/medicate/vaccinate. A possible source for winter feed (hay). A feed bunk & hay ring & possibly a small trailer for hauling. <p>: : I have heard good things about Jerseys. We raise Angus, so I could tell you all kinds of wonderful things about them. You may want to consider instead of a couple of heifers, maybe one steer calf (of coarse, I would recommend an angus or angus cross)(& a heifer). You could raise your own beef (if you or your family wouldn't have a problem eating Norman the pet steer) - it is hard to beat the taste & flavor of home raised beef. <p>: : It is only when things go wrong or your heifers are prowling to calve in freezing rain or during a 40 mph with a -40 windchill that you ask yourself (at around 2am) why am I doing this? Also it is a little hard to take a vacation unless someone does your daily chores while you're away (it's not too bad in the summer, except for possible pinkeye).<p>: : Best of Luck. I'll warn you though, they can be addictive - we started out with 3 hobby cows & now have close to 50 mommas - so much for a hobby, it is now a business.<p>: I have about 80 cattle and pens now (not on my 3 acres by my house, but on 220 acres at my farm), and I keep all my heifers, I was just kinda of wanting to raise some instead of going all over Texas buying from auctions. Just something to mess with around the house.<p>You obviousely have a good idea of what you're getting into (I thought you were a starting beginner). It's hard to beat home raised replacement heifers. Here in MO the university has started a replacement heifer program called the Show Me Select Heifer Program. They have sales throughout different locations in the state. They have met vaccination, pelvic, weight and breeding requirements - many lots are bred A.I. The lots are separated by breeder & calving interval as well. The sale in our area is usually around the 1st of Dec, where the heifers are due to calve that next spring. It has been a great success, as the buyers have confidence in what they are purchasing. I may be able to find you more information if you are interested. Maybe Texas has a program like this? I know the Show Me Heifer Sales are attracting out of state buyers.
