Protein Tubs for 300-400 lb heifers - Yay or Nay?

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You've been asked a couple of times now, what's the plan for these animals? Freezer beef, pets, or cows to build a herd?

We're all sitting here on pins and needles waiting for the answer.
I just replied below... We're up in the air a bit, but ultimately would like to to shoot for cows.
 
Hi,
We live up in NH where we've been around or below zero. We have our 6 & 9 month old calves on Nutrene 37% protein blocks and they've continued to gain throughout the winter. They've got some probiotics and minerals in them as well. For the price, it makes sense for our cows. They love them.
 
I just replied below... We're up in the air a bit, but ultimately would like to to shoot for cows.
Well that's a hard way to go, just to be honest. Underweight and undersized, and kind of a craps shoot. You might want to consider raising them up enough to get them healthy and then sell for what profit you can make, and buying cows with some experience that are already bred.
 
They had the injected ivermectin when we went to pick them up. They were vaccinated right hen as well. Not from a sale barn, but from a well known farmer in the area. Definitely a decent place. And honest. We were aware of what we were buying when we did. We have another 4 we've had for about 2 months, now, that were also in poor condition. Not sickly, but just not in good health. They've come a long ways since we've had them! These new two are just thinner and with the cold weather it's definitely more of a challenge.
Do you have a vet you can work with to get them vaccinated and wormed and possibly throw in a multi-men shot?

Based on the condition of those calves I would not trust that the person wormed them when they would not even feed them.
 
Do you have a vet you can work with to get them vaccinated and wormed and possibly throw in a multi-men shot?

Based on the condition of those calves I would not trust that the person wormed them when they would not even feed them.
We wormed the first set when we brought them in back in November. Definitely NOT a good place where they came from. The two that my post was about originally were wormed and vaxxed on 01/01/25 with our presence. The first two pictures were just to show the progress we had made in the first set we got from a completely different place - They have really made some progress since they came in. The two in question are shown in the last few pictures. I tries to point out which were which... That first picture makes me sad to think anyone could even allow an animal of any kind to get to that point :(
 
Its not uncommon to see a calf like those come through the sale. Most are bottle calves or off an old cow that didn't milk at all. Some people just dont take care of them and dont care.
Looks like you have done a good job getting the first group going.
Here i buy almost all of the bull or steer calves of that kind that sells. Enough of them that the auctioneer looks at me to start the bid when then come into the ring.
 
Its not uncommon to see a calf like those come through the sale. Most are bottle calves or off an old cow that didn't milk at all. Some people just dont take care of them and dont care.
Looks like you have done a good job getting the first group going.
Here i buy almost all of the bull or steer calves of that kind that sells. Enough of them that the auctioneer looks at me to start the bid when then come into the ring.
That first group were born on a low quality farm and pulled way too early. I still see listings from the people and the pictures show such poorly cared for animals.

The last two we got were from, like I said, a well known farm in that area and the guy was very honest, etc. We knew what we were getting when we got them. He vaxxed and wormed with us there and has since been checking in to see how they are doing, etc. We will be doing business with him again, I'm sure. My post here initially was to see thoughts on protein tubs to help push them along and I do believe we are on the right track... I will post in the future to show the progress and share what we decide to do with them going forward!

We've also got three bottle babies we've been working on since September - My boss at work had a total of 6 sets of twins born this year!! Two of the babies got left by moms and he asked if we'd want them, so we took them. they are doing well, too - One will definitely end up in the freezer, and the other we will see if he continues to do as well as he has been and go from there. The third is a Guernsey that I just couldn't pass up. lol... He's a cutie! Ultimately, they are here for that one purpose and we will try to give them good lives while they're here! We may get some good steers from him (my boss) come spring. We shall see!
 
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I am a big advocate for tubs. I winter my steers (300-450 lbs) on tubs and dormant Bermuda grass, perineal rye grass and fescue. Don't skimp on the tubs, get high protein / fat and make sure its a cooked tub. I only feed hay when we have a snow or ice storm.
 
I know several producers in your area. Hope it was one of them but usually their calves are bigger. Being cold weather it will just take longer for them to look better.
You stated they were vaccinated that day also. Most vaccines require a booster in 14-21 days.
Sounds like you have done whats needed.

Definitely not from me :)
 
That first group were born on a low quality farm and pulled way too early. I still see listings from the people and the pictures show such poorly cared for animals.

The last two we got were from, like I said, a well known farm in that area and the guy was very honest, etc. We knew what we were getting when we got them. He vaxxed and wormed with us there and has since been checking in to see how they are doing, etc. We will be doing business with him again, I'm sure. My post here initially was to see thoughts on protein tubs to help push them along and I do believe we are on the right track... I will post in the future to show the progress and share what we decide to do with them going forward!

We've also got three bottle babies we've been working on since September - My boss at work had a total of 6 sets of twins born this year!! Two of the babies got left by moms and he asked if we'd want them, so we took them. they are doing well, too - One will definitely end up in the freezer, and the other we will see if he continues to do as well as he has been and go from there. The third is a Guernsey that I just couldn't pass up. lol... He's a cutie! Ultimately, they are here for that one purpose and we will try to give them good lives while they're here! We may get some good steers from him (my boss) come spring. We shall see!
Out of curiosity was that well known farm in the Crewe area. If so, what was the name?
 
I am a big advocate for tubs. I winter my steers (300-450 lbs) on tubs and dormant Bermuda grass, perineal rye grass and fescue. Don't skimp on the tubs, get high protein / fat and make sure its a cooked tub. I only feed hay when we have a snow or ice storm.
I feed tubs as well always have in the winter.. right wrong or indifferent.
 
Out of curiosity was that well known farm in the Crewe area. If so, what was the name?
However, the first group that I showed in that first picture were from a pretty rough farm out in Cumberland - The two new girls are from Oxford, NC area. We intentionally bought the new girls knowing they needed some care. They were not sold to us under poor circumstances. Just to be clear. The so called farm where the group from Cumberland came from should not be able to be in operation given the condition of the animals there. I'm glad we were able to save those girls from where they were at.
 

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