Wow,,I surely hope that this does not sound cruel, heartless, or anything like that.
But is your jersey market there tha good that you would spend that kinda time, money, and effort on a calf that is almost surely to pass on you anyway?
Maybe time to make that choice?
I raise Jersey's too, and as much as I hate to say it, the jersey bulls are second class citzens around here. Actually, I should clarify the early statement.........I used to raise jersey bulls/steers, this is my last lot I will ever raise unless the market changes dramaticly. I have just seven left to go, and I am finished with them.
I had one peter out just yesterday after 11 weeks of life, and yes, I did put his sorry butt back on the bottle, fed him all kinds of energy boosters, and the meds thing, all to no avail, but I did NOT go to the extreme I would have done for a more valuable calf. I have no idea what went wrong with this guy, he was weaned after 7 weeks of very good milk replacer along with his hutch mates, and had freechoice medicated calf starter to eat. he seemed to do well, until a few days ago, i noticed a weekness to him, and started the extra TLC. I told myself, and stuck to it, no big money spent on a calf who's current value around here was less then $150.00 at the market.
As expected, I found his limp body yesterday afternoon, and he will perhaps now help me catch a curious or hungry coyote or wild hog, at least I hope I get that much good from him anyway.
Like many diehards here, I am starting to let my pencil make some of the choices for me. Hard, but becoming more and more neccessary these days where the black ink is starting to get closer to the red ink if ya get my drift.
Jersey bulls are not even on my list of 'Hey your giving it to me free? Gee thanks I'll take it' anymore. my pencil told me that I would barely break even, or just a little better by raising these bulls.......
Now a jersey heifer of course if an entirely different story all together.
What ever your choice is, I do wish you and your calf good luck! :cboy:
