Potential free cows? lol - opinions, Indiana

Creamers · #21 01/08/11, 05:28 PM

They are actually in Indiana. . . but too far from Oregon - lol, I know.

I actually just got an email from a lady and have been talking to her and then directed her to the owner. . . she is 160 acres and is willing to take all 3 in Ill. . . so hope it works out.

randiliana · #22 01/08/11, 05:47 PM

Creamer, it really isn't that unusual for a dry cow to get that fat. Add in the fact that these cows have NEVER had a calf, and I am not at all surprised.

We had 1 heifer and 1 cow lose their calves during the past summer and in 3-4 months were nearly as fat as those cows are (not the black one)

DaleK · #23 01/08/11, 08:31 PM

The chance of them breeding at that age, with that much fat, is low enough that it isn't worth considering. I'm with Marc, wouldn't much want to butcher them myself. What a waste.

ozark_jewels · #24 01/08/11, 11:40 PM

Even if they breed, I have a real problem with taking anything to my farm with the stipulation that it cannot be eaten. If it doesn't work out, that is the only feasable end.
I have turned down free animals before because they came with such a stipulation. I just won't guarentee that anything on my place will never be butchered. Its not realistic.

Creamers · #25 01/09/11, 12:06 AM

I've put her in contact with about 5 people interested in either one or all . . . so I hope something works out for her and them.

ozark_jewels · #26 01/09/11, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Creamers

I've put her in contact with about 5 people interested in either one or all . . . so I hope something works out for her and them.

Good. They are pretty girls.

Cheribelle · #27 01/09/11, 02:26 AM

The belted one looks like a Buelingo to me. I have a small heifer, they are supposed to do well and gain on just grass. I'd love to have her, but way too far away. Best of luck to her!

DJ in WA · #28 01/09/11, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randiliana

Creamer, it really isn't that unusual for a dry cow to get that fat. Add in the fact that these cows have NEVER had a calf, and I am not at all surprised.

We had 1 heifer and 1 cow lose their calves during the past summer and in 3-4 months were nearly as fat as those cows are (not the black one)

Yep, they have no calorie demands. No baby, no milk, no exercise - doesn't take much to get fat.

In addition, the black one appears to me to be a lowline angus, which don't have any demands of growth, so start getting fat early, and they seem to be very easy keepers, perhaps too easy. The lowline/jersey cow I had was always in good condition on limited feed even after milking strong for 10+ months and making another baby.

Lazy J · #29 01/09/11, 10:58 AM

I'd "rescue" them then drop them off at the Topeka Livestock Auction on the way home. Or even better why not take them to a local butcher in Indiana and have the meat donated to a Farmers for the Hungry type of organization? That hamburger would be a blessing to someone down on their luck.

Cows that old and fat are virtually worthless as a breeding animal, especially maidens.

tinknal · #30 01/09/11, 05:22 PM

I would tell her frankly that this is not a good deal for you. I would say that you will take them with no stipulations and try earnestly to use them for brood cows, and if they do not breed that you will see that they are humanely slaughtered on the farm by a mobile processor.

oregon woodsmok · #31 01/09/11, 05:39 PM

Just a note. Fat cows can lose weight. I don't see the fat as an issue.

I like cattle who are easy keepers. There's not much value to a cow that can't hold her weight no matter how much she eats.

Those cattle are on a lot of really nice looking pasture and it looks like rotational grazing. If you put them on thinner pasture where they had 40 or so acres to walk around on and the feed at one end and the water at the other, they'd get back into shape pretty quick.

They are definitely plump, but they aren't all that fat. Nobody is going to mistake them for a 15th century hog with it's belly scraping the ground. They'd tune right up with a little proper management.

Creamers · #32 01/09/11, 11:00 PM

Quote:

I'd "rescue" them then drop them off at the Topeka Livestock Auction on the way home. Or even better why not take them to a local butcher in Indiana and have the meat donated to a Farmers for the Hungry type of organization? That hamburger would be a blessing to someone down on their luck.

Cows that old and fat are virtually worthless as a breeding animal, especially maidens.

I couldn't do that or even put someone in contact with her I felt would do that, as it would be very dishonest, but thankfully, through my petfinder account, I was able to already find all three a home with a woman in Kentucky. She went to get them in IN today. The owner was very pleased with her potential home after talking to her on the phone, so I guess it is a happy ending.