Bull calf

wkyongae · #1 07/20/06, 11:47 PM

Just wondering outloud what is a Red Angus bull bred to a Black Angus/Holsteen cow worth? The calf that is. I've got 1 week to ponder this qustion then he is a steer or a bull. Calf is 1 week old today.

Up North · #2 07/21/06, 12:31 AM

When all is said and done, I think he will be worth more as a steer than as a bull.

Ronney · #3 07/21/06, 06:54 AM

I would have to agree with Up North. Whichever way you dress it up, he is nothing more than a cross-bred and will have no value as a breeding bull.

However, having said that, if you have the fencing that will contain a bull until he reaches maturity, he will fetch more at the works if left intact than he will as a steer. Bulls can be problematic though and if your not set up for them you would be best to go for the steering option.

Cheers,
Ronnie

wkyongae · #4 07/21/06, 07:41 AM

Well, that settles it for us a steer he shall be. Thank you for helping to clear our heads.

YuccaFlatsRanch · #5 07/21/06, 08:37 AM

I totally agree. Its too easy and not very expensive to get semen from the best PROVEN bulls to go thru the hassle and danger of keeping a bull. I recently AI'd my cow to QAS Traveler, the 1st Million Dollar Black Angus bull for $35.00. His records indicate that he is 99% sure to pass on his traits to a calf.

Up North · #6 07/21/06, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronney

I would have to agree with Up North. Whichever way you dress it up, he is nothing more than a cross-bred and will have no value as a breeding bull.

However, having said that, if you have the fencing that will contain a bull until he reaches maturity, he will fetch more at the works if left intact than he will as a steer. Bulls can be problematic though and if your not set up for them you would be best to go for the steering option.

Cheers,
Ronnie

Ronnie the old NorseMan

from UpNorth feels he must disagree with you as to fetching more at the works if left intact. This may be true in NZ? In North America, an intact bull for slaughter is worth CONSIDERABLY less than a steer.
That said, the danger to family members and visitors at Wykongae's Ranch is reason enough to steer him promptly....

.cheers

Up North · #7 07/21/06, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YuccaFlatsRanch

I totally agree. Its too easy and not very expensive to get semen from the best PROVEN bulls to go thru the hassle and danger of keeping a bull. I recently AI'd my cow to QAS Traveler, the 1st Million Dollar Black Angus bull for $35.00. His records indicate that he is 99% sure to pass on his traits to a calf.

Yucca what AI Firm carries QAS Traveler- I suppose it would be out of the question to request you post up info on him? LOL.

Oxankle · #8 07/21/06, 03:56 PM

If you keep an animal to maturity a bull will bring far less (in N. America) than a steer, but I understand it is not that way all over the world.

However, here in Ok the dock on a bull calf up to about 600 pounds is zero to about $15. An intact calf will put on more than enough extra weight over a steer to make up the $l5. Once the buyers decide this is a BULL the price is cut almost in half. So, if I were going to sell the calf at 550 pounds I would not bother him--he certainly will not give you trouble at that stage of maturity. If I wanted to keep him and butcher him myself at 13-l400 pounds I'd clamp him.
Ox

wkyongae · #9 07/21/06, 05:31 PM

Well, he'll be 2 weeks old next week Thursday so that'll be the day he moo's a higher pitch.

Ronney · #10 07/22/06, 05:45 AM

To the Old Norseman from Up North

, that's interesting because I would be far better off keeping all my bull calves through to 2 year old bulls than I would be by steering them. I would make $3-400 more per animal. The only reason I don't is that our fencing isn't that wonderful in parts plus running bulls as well and cows and heifers on a smaller property can be a recipe for disaster.

I am beginning to think that perhaps the NZ bull market is at the expense of the American bull market - as mentioned most of our bull meat ends up in the States - and this probably has something to do with the low value of our dollar making it more profitable to import bull meat than buy home grown.

Cheers,
Ronnie

JulieLou42 · #11 07/22/06, 07:31 PM

We'll be steering our new bull calf next week when the heat backs down again. He'll be just over two weeks old...a 1/2 Jersey x 3/8 Guernsey x 1/8 Red Angus.
Plan to use the Elastrator with him. It was successful with my last bull, and this one seems very healthy, too.

ozark_jewels · #12 07/22/06, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieLou42

Plan to use the Elastrator with him. It was successful with my last bull, and this one seems very healthy, too.

Thats all we ever use on calves and goats. Works great.