What do you think of this cow?
 

What do you think of this cow? She is a year old jersey mix. We were able to handle her and walk her on a lead. She was disbudded early on but there is about a 3" growth. I don't like horns so they will have to come off.

Do you think she is worth a try?
Thanks for any help.
Shar

http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/w...nana/Daisy.jpg

worth a try for what?

she looks good

Bigmudder, We want her for a family cow. Sorry I forgot to include that info. I was a tad excited ;)

Thanks,
Shar

Definetely a unique, cool color pattern. It would depend to me on what current market price is. I'd check with local dairy sale barns (if any exist in your area) and try to figure out what she's worth. If you give more than that for her, you need to consider it "paying for a pet" and the true value of her can only be determined by you.

Across the scales $48 /cwt

Gregg I think you are abit under priced on such a young calf. She must be a holstein cross, which will give you better milk and more then a pure holstein.I say go ahead , I don`t know if I would worry about the horns, they shouldn`t amout to much if she was dehorned before. Thanks Marc

If the price is right I'd buy her. The fact that she is tame and halter broke automatically makes her worth an extra $100 over market price IMO.

@ one year old $600-$800 at todays off the farm prices...Two years ago you would have paid over $1000, just to give you some perspective...More photos would be helpful....Topside

Before I could commet I would need to see the udder...BUT I have one just like that in color that gives 6 gallons a day..easy keeper and will follow you any were

Hard to judge an udder on a yearling.

She has cow-like eyes.

More pictures would help but I agree if she's halter broke you are a bit ahead so she's worth a little more.

Post an udder photo for Myersfarm to view, I'm anxious to hear his comments..Obviously she hasn't freshened but he needs a teat shot...thanks if you can find the time...Topside

She's beautiful.. and if you're looking for a family cow, then you want one that is tame and friendly. I think you've found a winner.

The thing about evaluating an udder is that being only a yearling there isn't much you can tell... and where someone may be looking at her to determine volume, if you only need enough for a family, then it may not really matter to you if you get 6 gallons a day or not.

I wouldn't worry about the horns myself.... but then I have four cows with horns and I find them to be pretty actually :D

I too am anxious to see a close up side and rear shot showing the teat area. That animal has a large protrusion on her right side that is excessive for her age IMO.

At the sale today plain cattle brought $48-$55/cwt , if she weighted 700 pounds would bring about $400 give or take on what she really weighs and what really looks like.Purchased some plain calves average weight 550 # average price per hd $425. Will be turning these calves out on pasture after giving shots, worming, branding, 2 wk period in grass trap , and receiving ration.

The lump on her side appears that she is standing with her back turned just a bit.

And I am wondering... Plain calves? does that mean dairy heifer? tame? able to lead? I think those things add a lot of value to a family cow I'd think.

Most of ya'll are talking beef cows and stock animals, not family cows (which tend to be a member of the family as much as any pet).

What I look for when I am putting together a group of calves is frame, good feed and legs, size fits the age. I worked as a order buyer for over 10 yrs. Plain cattle to me are cattle that doesn't fit into a # 1 or #2, most will be under fed at sometime in their life , head is bigger in comparison to the body . You can take these calves and put them on a good nutritional program and in about 6 months on pasture they well turn around and fit into a feed lot just fine.
On dairy heifers , I look for a growthy heifer that looks like a dairy animal. Look at your market reports for you area on dairy cattle and you see all listings for common heifers and cows, either springing, fresh, short bred, ready to freshen , ect. For me I could care less if a calf or cow is halter broke ect. Nothing wrong with it just not worth any thing to me. Color is another factor that is not important to me

Sharmom , if you like the heifer and satisfied with the price give her a try, if she don't work out you can weigh her out in a yr and get some of your $ back.
All I am saying is know what you are wanting and needing , don't look at how pretty she is , but will she fit what I am wanting her for.

This might give you an idea on dairy cattle grading
http://dese.mo.gov/divcareered/AG/CD...tleGrading.pdf

Grading Feeder Cattle
http://animalscience.tamu.edu/ansc/b...edercattle.pdf

Another Feeder Cattle site
http://beef.osu.edu/library/feedlot/feedlot.pdf

I have seen this cow for sale for some time now. They are trying to market it as a mini on craigslist. Looks like a holstein jersey cross and I cant see that as being mini, more like whats wrong with it for it to be as small as they have said. Freemartin/twin came to mind, Im not sure if tiny twins catch up in size by 1 year. Just make sure it isnt a freemartin.
Where did they get it? I have seen the price of this cow go up and down and up again from $400 to $600, trying to get bites.

With the new info just posted by Laser I'd recommend backing away from this heifer. Something's not right. She maybe bred accidently. Keep hunting, Topside

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I DISAGREE...not saying I can tell how much milk she will give...but saying I would have to see udder before I would buy a MILK COW.


..what if she had 7 teats..
.. what if she had the udder the size of a 5 gallon bucket right now.
..what if she had 2 teats grown side by side.
....what if she had 3 three inch teats and one 1/4 inch long...
... what if she only had 2 teats.
...what if she had most these things...
..IS THAT THE COW YOU WANT TO MILK

WITH OUT LOOKING AT UDDER NOBODY CAN TELL


A old dairy man told me when I was 14 ...its like buying a CORVETTE...WITH A 5 HP GASOLINE MOTOR.....look great on the outside...but could not even move.....if you want set in it and look great...thats one thing.....if you want drive it forget it.........same with a cow if you want pet it... any gentle cow will do ..if you want milk it ... look under the hood first

here is my cow I commeted about...with the udder picture...btw I had those three heifer calfs on the same day

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y29...Picture017.jpg

Sorry I haven't gotten back to update. Things have been busy!

We bought this cow. We paid $325. We went to look at her Friday evening. Talked to the owner at length. Went home to discuss and think about it. Decided it was worth it to us.

The owner was selling her because it was a situation where she went to buy hay and saw this cute little cow and bought her right then! She thought she would milk her, but the family are really into horses and shows. They don't have the time for her.

I can't speak to her size, but I will get some more pictures and measurements. They did say she has some Dexter in her.

We were told she is not a freemartin. I had no reason to disbelieve her, but if it doesn't work out with her, we will do as Gregg suggested, weigh her out and have gained experience with her.

I will get a picture of her udder when I can. I didn't know you could tell anything about an udder this early! You learn something new every day.

Thanks again, for all the help. I'm learning a lot from all you "experts"! :D

Shar

I would have bought her too - she is cute and if she turns out to be sterile, you may have a pet cow or meat for the family. I have trouble turning down cute cows.

My sentiments too:D I've got some humdingers in my herd that most of the "cow" people on here would have worksed before they even considered them as a milker and every one of them has turned up trumps.

As a family cow she doesn't have to have a perfect udder or be the highest producer under the sun but she does have to be easy to handle, come to the call/halter trained and not turn inside out because the dog decides to have a crap in front of her. Sharmom, for the price you paid for her, I can't see how you can go wrong even if she doesn't work out - and I suspect she will fulfil your needs adequately.

Myers, what are you saying about your cows? I see three very nice cows with equally nice calves and two udders I would not be happy with as both appear to be caked?

Cheers,
Ronnie

two udders I would not be happy with as both appear to be caked?





Ronney...that is the morning I found all three with calf they had in the night...the one on left Tulip was a heifer .... the one on right.... did have a lot you never could milk out but still gave my 5 gallon a day limit....I do not feed like a dairy ...If they give 5 gallons a day they get to stay with me that is raising 15 CALFS A YEAR IN MY PROGRAM in the 6 months I do milk and raise calfs

What does "caked" mean?
Thanks,
Mickey

Sorry Myers, I was going to rephrase the question but as you've already answered, it's a bit pointless. What do you do for the cakeing - try and relieve it or let the calves deal with it. Just interested.

Mickey, caked udder is also known as congested udder and is most commonly found in first calvers just before or after calving, although I have had older cows come in with it.

Cheers,
Ronnie

Caking is also referred to as udder edema.

Ronney since I do not sell milk I give shot BANAMINE and milk 4 times till i get out most of it also have to rub real hard all around

Yeah, that looks a bit painful on the cow on the right. I got to deal with that on the one Jersey I had. Vet could give lasix diuretic to pull some fluid out. I've read the increased udder weight can break downt the ligaments leading to pendulous udder. Also read that feeding program can affect occurrence of udder edema, which is why I prefer leaving the high producing pure dairy cows to the professionals.