Making the call

[Petercoates87]

So just wondering how do you judge when a cow is time to ship her off for "dog food" or pay the money to treat her. I often hear that dairies will cut their losses for stuff I think is treatable. I'm treating my cow for worms and the vet blunt out said to me that some beef farmers would just ship her off. I don't understand that like it's just worms it's treatable and replacement cows are way too expensive. Or I have heard dairies selling a cow cause she got one teeth that's not as good or don't work. I just don't understand how this matters so much.

 

[M-5]

When she is costing you money and not paying for herself and making a profit its time for her to go. These are Cows not children. That's not meant to be harsh but in the end they are livestock their purpose in life is to make you money or feed you.

 

[Alan]

For me much of the decision depends on the individual animal, do I want to spend money on a 17 yr old cow that's been going down hill for a couple of years....no. With that said I look at things like worming, vaccinations, mild ailments requiring antibiotics as maintaince and part of the cost of the business of cattle. You as a business owner can be the only one to decide how much to invest on a business asset before it becomes lost profit. Do I spend $1200 to try to save a $1500 cow or ship it before it goes down? Ship it asap. But lost profit can also come in the form of simply a poor calf which does not cover the expense of maintaining the cow through the development of the calf..... I would ship that cow and calf no matter what their health status was.

 

[Rafter S]

So just wondering how do you judge when a cow is time to ship her off for "dog food" or pay the money to treat her. I often hear that dairies will cut their losses for stuff I think is treatable. I'm treating my cow for worms and the vet blunt out said to me that some beef farmers would just ship her off. I don't understand that like it's just worms it's treatable and replacement cows are way too expensive. Or I have heard dairies selling a cow cause she got one teeth that's not as good or don't work. I just don't understand how this matters so much.

If your vet said that then there may be more going on with her than just worms. Of course maybe some people would ship her just for worms, but I don't think it's very smart for an otherwise good cow.

 

[Nesikep]

I'm strict about it if a cow is either unproven, or proven to be just average.. I'm a softie if I have an exceptional cow that has already given me proven daughters, and I want more of them.

Taking your case, it depends a lot on your feed situation, if you have plenty of feed and it's not costing you to keep her, and the treatment is simple, I'd say she's fine to stay a while, especially considering we're at a low point on cattle prices right now, and they may pick up a bit when the grass gets green in a couple months.
On the other hand, if you're near your stocking limit, or you need to buy feed, you can cut your losses, sell her now for a discounted price, but at the same sale pick up a cow that looks better for not a whole lot more money and will have a calf sooner and will raise it better for not much more than the one you sold

 

[Workinonit Farm]

If your vet said that then there may be more going on with her than just worms.

:nod: :nod:

It could very well be that this cow has had an overload of internal parasites for a very long time and there could be some permanent damage as a result, therefore the cow may not ever fully return to optimal weight, or it could taker her an extraordinarly long time to do so.

 

[Petercoates87]

Yeah I'm not worried bout my own cow. The vet said she would bounce back with some reconditioning and I have the feed to do so. She is a 4 year that's got 2 beautiful calves so to me she is worth the bit to get her back in good shape. She is just a bit under conditioned. But the vet did say some farmers wouldn't even fool with her so it just made me wonder how to gauge it. I figure when she puts on a few pounds she got hopefully 8-10 years of calving. And like someone said deworming is more like maintance really. I'm just wondering how to say that cow A isn't worth it n cut your losses

 

[Supa Dexta]

There is no set rules. Your cow, your choice. I have enough kicking around that if one gives me too much greif, she's gone. But I'm still growing though too, so I've got a list of ones that should/could go, but until I have better ones to fill their spot, they live to see another day here.

I get more attached to my bulls than my cows. I enjoy seeing what a bull grows into and what calves he throws.

 

[Petercoates87]

Yes I hear ya wit the whole bull thing too. This year's bull is from the cow in question. He is a beautiful cross and has a great temperament. I'd love to see how he will grow but he is goin in the deep freeze

 

[Jessica06]

Profit earning potential and troublesomeness