New Calf

Keith Molden · Jan 16, 2012

I bought a cow this past August to fatten up & butcher. Bought her from a cattle buyer friend who told me the reason he got her was she wouldn't take a breed. Got her home & kept her for about a month feeding her grain. Well she just didn't look right, the more I looked at her the more I thought she's bred. That and a grandson who got pretty attached to her to the point she would let him brush her all over (she's a Herford) Saturday she was making bag & looking ready to drop a calf so we shut her in the barn. Sunday morning she had a nice stocky bull calf when I went to check on her. Now I'll have a bull that he won't want to part with. I guess that's life for Grandpa, but he knows that on a farm, you have to let some of them go. Keith

oldtanker · Jan 16, 2012

LOL I don't have problems with the grandkids getting attached, they have seen us butcher from the time they were babies......it's my youngest daughter. She is only allowed to "make friends" with the cows, she's not allowed near the steers!

Rick

Fordfarmer · Jan 16, 2012

At least a bull calf is a good thing for you. I can't seem to get heifers - makes it hard to replace old/hard breeding/low producing cows in my dairy herd. 80% bull calves last year; 1 bull and 1 heifer (a beef x-bred) so far this year.

WJD · Jan 16, 2012

Am happy to hear the cow accepted her calf with no problems. It is sure to get very cold yet this winter and bottle feeding a calf would be a chore. I always worry about this with calves born in the winter.

Good luch and best wishes,

WJD

2x4 · Jan 16, 2012

if she's so old breeding is a problem, there's a good chance she won't make milk or enough milk & the calf will starve unless bottle-fed. If you don't have the experience to tell if she's giving enough milk, bring in someone who can, or try milking her. If the calf starts walking with its back humped up, doesn't jump around & cavort or acts lethargic, break out the bottle. To the inexperienced eye, the calf will look normal nearly til the day it dies.

NEBeef · Jan 17, 2012

LOL, I know what you mean. I've been turning the decision making part of the cow herd over to my daughter, she's got to learn. I told her that at some point the place has changed from being a farm to a petting zoo. She has no hesitation sending the finished animals off to slaughter, but her strategies on keeping replacements is... well, let's just say it's not the way I'd do it! :wink:

Keith Molden · Jan 17, 2012

The cow's got plenty of milk & both are doing fine. The point was that she was allready bred was why she wouldn't take a breed. I don't know the circumstances behind it all as I bought her in late August or early Sep't.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 17, 2012

Our kids are in 4-H, first year with a market animal the kids have a hard time parting with their projects. A month later when the check comes all is good. The second year market project they can't wait to send their project to the butcher shop. Show them the money and keep'em coming.

New Calf

Keith Molden

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oldtanker

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Fordfarmer

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WJD

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2x4

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NEBeef

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Keith Molden

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Anonymous-0

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