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Small Scale Nurse Cow / Calf Strategy
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<blockquote data-quote="backhoeboogie" data-source="post: 1109730" data-attributes="member: 3162"><p>I get my calves from the sale barn. The sale barn is not a place for someone without experience. Go watch a few sales before you buy. </p><p></p><p>You are going to want calves that are about a week old. Generally it is a cow calf pair with an older cow that no one bids on at the going rate for pairs. The ring man will then split them. </p><p></p><p>Look at the navel and tail length of week old calves. Dried navel cord is a good sign. Calf probably had colostrum. </p><p></p><p>You probably need to have a supply of prescript meds in case of pneumonia (shipping fever). </p><p></p><p>Crate the cow or secure her somehow in a pen. Crowd the graft calf towards her while that calf is hungry. Depending on your cow, you may have issues or you may not have any problem. Generally after the calf has nursed a cow a few days (3 to be safe) it has her scent and she will accept it. </p><p></p><p>Nurse cows are the best money making strategy in my opinion. You have to buy the right calves and keep your cost down. That nurse cow is going to need feed while she is nursing those calves. Divide that feed cost by each of the calves you have on her. Keep your cost at $1 per day per calf. </p><p></p><p>When those calves need hay or forage, sell them. Don't buy feed and expect to make money.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="backhoeboogie, post: 1109730, member: 3162"] I get my calves from the sale barn. The sale barn is not a place for someone without experience. Go watch a few sales before you buy. You are going to want calves that are about a week old. Generally it is a cow calf pair with an older cow that no one bids on at the going rate for pairs. The ring man will then split them. Look at the navel and tail length of week old calves. Dried navel cord is a good sign. Calf probably had colostrum. You probably need to have a supply of prescript meds in case of pneumonia (shipping fever). Crate the cow or secure her somehow in a pen. Crowd the graft calf towards her while that calf is hungry. Depending on your cow, you may have issues or you may not have any problem. Generally after the calf has nursed a cow a few days (3 to be safe) it has her scent and she will accept it. Nurse cows are the best money making strategy in my opinion. You have to buy the right calves and keep your cost down. That nurse cow is going to need feed while she is nursing those calves. Divide that feed cost by each of the calves you have on her. Keep your cost at $1 per day per calf. When those calves need hay or forage, sell them. Don't buy feed and expect to make money. [/QUOTE]
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