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<blockquote data-quote="randiliana" data-source="post: 711105" data-attributes="member: 2308"><p>quote]There were two calves from heifers. The calves were definitely smaller. One a steer, the other a bull we were thinking on growing out. In a perfect world, we might have kept the cows and waited on another year to see if they comes up in milk. With prices not great and the looks of the other heifer's calves, I'm leaning towards selling or butchering. What are your thoughts? Both have had one calf only, and are 2 1/2 years old, and not bad shape. Hubby is leaning to keep, I'm leaning to sell/butcher Opinions?</p></blockquote><p></p><p>To me it would depend on how poor the calves are. I have a cut off point. I've learned that if they don't hit that point the first year, they almost NEVER will improve enough for it to be worth keeping. For March/Apr calves they have to be at least 400 lbs. I figure that they have to put at least 1.8 lbs/day on the calf, or you may as well cull her out the first year rather than feed her another year and still have a runt of a calf. Realize that your cost to keep a cow is probably in the $475 range, a 350 lb calf has a hard time paying for that, let alone the cost of buying or raising its mother. </p><p></p><p>Figure 1.8(lbs/day) x 200 days = 380 + 70(BW) = 450 lbs.</p><p>[/QUOTE]</p>
[QUOTE="randiliana, post: 711105, member: 2308"] quote]There were two calves from heifers. The calves were definitely smaller. One a steer, the other a bull we were thinking on growing out. In a perfect world, we might have kept the cows and waited on another year to see if they comes up in milk. With prices not great and the looks of the other heifer's calves, I'm leaning towards selling or butchering. What are your thoughts? Both have had one calf only, and are 2 1/2 years old, and not bad shape. Hubby is leaning to keep, I'm leaning to sell/butcher Opinions?[/quote] To me it would depend on how poor the calves are. I have a cut off point. I've learned that if they don't hit that point the first year, they almost NEVER will improve enough for it to be worth keeping. For March/Apr calves they have to be at least 400 lbs. I figure that they have to put at least 1.8 lbs/day on the calf, or you may as well cull her out the first year rather than feed her another year and still have a runt of a calf. Realize that your cost to keep a cow is probably in the $475 range, a 350 lb calf has a hard time paying for that, let alone the cost of buying or raising its mother. Figure 1.8(lbs/day) x 200 days = 380 + 70(BW) = 450 lbs. [/QUOTE]
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