Need help finding out the worth of my cows NY area

NY Jewel · #1 06/13/07, 09:59 PM

Hello, I am located in upstate NY and i have a holstein heifer born Jan. 2006 and a Jersey bull born April 2006 that i am considering selling and i need some idea of what they are worth or how much i should be asking for them. If you could please give me some opinions i would appreciate it greatly! I bottle raised both of these guys since they were 3 days old. They are healthy, been raised on pasture and quality hay. They are very tame, and were raised with lots of love. The bull is intact and is gentle still. They are not registered or anything like that. And i don't know their weight. There are some pictures of them here .... http://imageevent.com/dancingbears/newpics
If you need any more info just ask. Also if you have any opinions on how they look please share them also.Thanks soo much! Julie

Up North · #2 06/13/07, 11:59 PM

The Jersey bull looks to be in fine condition. The Holstien heifer is a bit on the thin side. Note how pronounced the shortribs are in "Clover 3"photo.

Are we to assume Clover is pregnant by Brownie? If so, how many months PG?
If she is 5-7 months Pg, the heifer would probably bring $1,500 to $1,700 in our marketplace. The Jersey bull would be worth the current slaughter bull price, regardless of whether he wasa sold for breeding or fore Bologne.

francismilker · #3 06/14/07, 08:31 AM

I believe the cow is 1/2 Jersey due to the horns and size. However, she would still bring a good price in my area due to dairies integrating jersey in their herd to increase butterfat. I'm not sure what to tell you on the bull, I'm in the same shape with one myself!

NY Jewel · #4 06/14/07, 10:16 AM

Thanks guys! I am not sure if Clover is pregnant?? I have never seen them do it? But i noticed lately that when Clover pee's that Brownie puts his face into it and makes this strange face with his mouth open? I guess i will have the vet come and see if she is preg before i sell them. Any other suggestions. I am NOT a cow person, i am a dog breeder so i need a little guidance here. I was told that Clover was full holstein but looking at her ears they look alot like Brownies ears so maybe she is a jersey cross? Any other opinions on how much you would charge if you were selling these guys. Thanks for all your help! Julie

Up North · #5 06/14/07, 12:52 PM

I would have Vet Preg check her. Then have vet administer 9-Way Vaccine to heifer as well. I would not give the bull 9-Way, because this limits your options with him. If you cannot find a buyer who wants to use him as a breeding bull, your only recourse will be to send him to market for slaughter,which you cannot legally do if he has just had 9-Way Vaccine or antibiotics administered.
Heifers value is greatly affected by PG or not. Bull sniffing is normal, he is testing the stream for presence of hormones signalling it's time for him to breed. She may or may not be pg allready.
The horns will be a knock on your price recieved, but do not dehorn now as too risky. If these are to be dehorned it would be best done come fall after 2 hard freezes.

NY Jewel · #6 06/14/07, 08:07 PM

Thanks again UPNORTH. I will call the vet in and see if she's preg and will get her that shot. I guess i'll hang onto these guys for a bit until i learn some more.

tinknal · #7 06/14/07, 08:41 PM

Has the heifer been bangs vaccinated? If not it may limit your options selling her. I believe cattle in commercial dairy operations need to be vacinated by 6 months of age.

JulieLou42 · #8 06/14/07, 10:43 PM

Sell heifer; eat bull.

sycamore · #9 06/16/07, 01:57 PM

Clover could easily be sold to an individual as a future homestead cow easily for $1500 and probably more. Definately more if she is pregnant. Since she is hand raised and easy to work with that is a plus. Some people might not want her b/c she'll give Tons of milk and not much cream.
She sounds and looks delightful.
The bull is another story.

NY Jewel · #10 06/16/07, 03:36 PM

Thanks Sycamore! She is a doll and is very loving and gentle. But so is the bully boy soo far but i know that may change. I am going to call the vet in and check for pregnancy and make sure they are healthy and have all their shots and hopefully will be able to find a nice family farm home for them.

Tad · #11 06/19/07, 06:50 AM

Clover is almost definatly a pure breed. We have many jersey crosses and they never look that much like a holstien. Pure breed traits to look for are no black touching the tail switch and no black touching the hoof. If she is bred she will probably bring 1500-1750

NY Jewel · #12 06/19/07, 01:59 PM

Hi Tad, Thank you soo much for that info! I asked a neighbor here to take a look at Clover and he said she is full holstein also. If you know of anyone who may be interested in them please send them my way.

Julie

Tad · #13 06/20/07, 08:08 AM

My wifes family is out that way broome and tioga county area. My wifes cousin's inlaws have cows, and does buy from time to time I will put a bug in his ear. If you can find a hauler in your area send them to an auction barn. We have had much better luck sending them to auction than a cattle dealer. We sent a 4 day old holstien heifer last week got $740

Teacupliz · #14 06/20/07, 12:43 PM

if she did not have horns I would buy her-
Liz in NY

NY Jewel · #15 06/21/07, 11:17 AM

I would be willing to have her dehorned but someone mentioned to not do it until after 2 good freezes, i am assuming because of the flies? I haven't gotten the vet in yet as i have been soo busy getting ready for my daughters graduation party. But i will discuss the dehorning with the vet also. Thanks Julie

cow whisperer · #16 06/21/07, 01:13 PM

Beautiful animals..... I am going to guess that she may not be pregnant yet..... Just do to the fact that your bull is smaller than her, by quite a bit..... Although wonders never cease to amaze me.... :baby04:

At 1 day old we gave $75. a head for our bull calves (now they were holstien, we brought them home, banded them, raised them for 17 months, and butchered....)

The cattle we have now came as a package deal, 6 months ago..... People needed money, stopped at our place (we didn't even know them......

) and asked if we were interested..... So for $2000.00 we ended up with 5 white face herefords (4 heifers and a bull, about 7 months old), 2 jerseys (about 2 months old,both bulls, now steer, ), 1 brown swiss (about a month old, bull, now steer), and 3 pigs ( 2 sows and a bore)....... We butchered the pigs back in January.... We also plan to butcher the 2 jerseys.... not sure about the swiss yet.... It seems as though he is taking forever to grow....

Not sure if this helps you, but thought I'd try....

Good luck on the graduation party.... we just had one 2 weeks ago.... 2 down, 1 to go.... LOL....

NY Jewel · #17 06/21/07, 10:03 PM

Thanks Cow whisperer! Yes the jersey is much smaller than the holstein and is taking forever to grow. But if they are anything like dogs, i've had a tiny 5 lb. male rat terrier tie with a 20 lb. female here, wouldn't of believed it if i didn't see it myself! I guess if there's a will there's a way! Congrats on your graduate! This is my 4th and my last to graduate keeping my fingers crossed for a nice day so we can be outside. Thanks Julie