Found an older bred cow dead this afternoon. One of the "bought ones" and got some age, but no noticeable reason. Just part of it. Have been having calves left and right. But got another cow that looks like she might have a bad hip , maybe stifled. Got to go across some wet ground to go check on her tomorrow.
Gonna take 6 calves off some old cows to market friday and the cows are going to a buyer who will pay on the rail. Figured we would try that as the cull cow market is way down, mostly in the 30's and some 40's. Got 7 going as one had a dead premie and as she has some age, she won't be getting bred back. Rail prices are about $1.00 lb hanging if they hang at least 400 lbs, 80's if lighter; have to have decent flesh. We'll see. Can't hurt to try it these are in decent flesh but not too fat.
Weather here has been crazy too. Supposed to get down to 30's and possible frost the next 2 nights. Maybe we will start to have some "normal" temps. But still wet. Sun today, but had over 2 inches rain in a week. These 3 and 4 tenths of cool misty showers are the worst.
One of my nurse cows has gone nuts, won't take any other calves this time. She now has some mastitis, and so I decided she can raise her calf and she will take a ride whenever I decide to sell the calf. Probably spring, so she is being treated like any beef cow; the calf is 1/2 angus so will at least do some growing. Don't know what her problem is but she has flipped her lid not wanting to take other calves this time. I have a lead on 2 guernsey heifers that are supposed to be 6 months pregnant for $500 each. Sure can't raise them for that. They sold a nice 1st calf holstein heifer just fresh at the monthly dairy sale for $750. Holstein heifer baby calves are going for $20-30 each. Giveaway prices. Jersey bull calves $10.
If you have "livestock", your gonna have "deadstock".
