Newbie Advise?

I use safeguard drench and injectable ivomec or cydectin. My vet suggested to me to try drench in spring and inject in fall. I like results so far.

Bubbasboys how are your new cattle doing?

Every spring for the past 3, we have bought 2 angus calves from a farmer to raise and feed out. They are 2 to 5 days old when we get them.

The herd has never been vaccinated or wormed. That concerned me at first but doesnt bother me anymore. I have opted not to vaccinated my calves. They are never around other cattle. Only those from their own orignal herd.

I do worm every summer with diatamaceous earth.

I like the idea of the meat we eat being free from as many chemicals and additives as possible.

Hey snaffle, I am 100% with you on that idea of "meat we eat"...

With regard to your supply source, I have to ask a question that has really nagged me for a while. Your comment isn't the first time I have heard it. Who sells days-old beef calves? I understand (and sell) days-old dairy calves. But I have always been confused about the wisdom do selling bottle beef calf. What's the thinking with that?

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Honesty and integrity are homesteading virtues.

Snaffle, they are doing great thamls for asking. I agree with you totally. We try to do the most nature and chemical free things on our homestead as well. That being said, I am a worry wort! My wife tries to keep me calmed down but I am one of those "what if" guys. haha. If we were raising just meat ones that will have shorter life and then go to freezer, we would probably be doing exactly what you are. These girls will be here for a long long time so we want them to stay as healthy as can be to keep giving us calves and milk. How long does it take to grow a beef calf out. We are thinking of getting one since these girls will not be giving us any future beef for some time.

I hope none of you "no vaccine, no wormer" folks never have to watch your animal suffer and die for lack of it.

Tetanus is present in the soil most places, doesn't matter if they get exposed to other animals or not. I think blackleg is too. An adult animal isn't likely to die from parasite infestation but it does drag them down, and a big enough load of worms can kill a calf.

I would encourage you to read up and do some research on this.

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It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with the simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.
Laura Ingalls Wilder

Plus to add to MO cows, we can not afford to spend the money we have spent to purchase them and them get hit with big vet bills from getting sick or losing them and having to buy again. Cows are way to expensive for us to take the risk. We took mama and calf in yesterday. Both got health check, wormed, vaccines, preg check for mama, and calf dehorned. $66.00. I was blown away! I will not take the risk on our animals to save that little of money.

Was the cow bred back?

Yes she is!! Thanks for asking, I wanted to tell someone. haha. We didn't even think of them checking her until they asked. Breeder we got her from was hoping but not sure. We are looking at a Sept. calving!! Hope we figure out what the heck we are doing by then. haha

That is a good thing. It makes the price a little better, but the main thing is that the cow is fertile. I always cringe when people talk about buying cows that have been open for long periods!

Yeah she has have 4 calves so far. We paid $1000.00 for her and her heifer calf. We thought it was a good deal. Had to travel a ways but worth it so far. We have been wanting Dexters for a while and could not find em anywhere close to us. We are excited to learn how to raise them and get some beef out here.

very good price for a 3 in 1 .

Uh, I may be wrong, but I think it is against the law in Illinois to bring in cattle that don't have a brucellosis vacination and a vet certificate.

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Moving to that big black hole in the night satellite photo. (also the hole in cell phone coverage )