Getting another calf out of old dairy cows???

[RedHogs]

We have all been to the auction and seen the old screw cows go thru the sale barn and I have been watching dairy prices and with the cost of heifers, what about resting the cows on super feed for a while and rebreeding them just for the calf, not for milking...Would they hold up for one more????

[francismilker]

They're usually there for one of two reasons: WON'T BREED BACK, or LOW PRODUCTION. It's a gamble, but it could work.

[Up North]

Another big reason why farmers cull out cows is mastitis and high cell count. It would be a gamble to first get a cow to conceive and then to get one to freshen without blowing up with mastitis. I know we have culled some cows recently that would work for this. Then again I know we have culled some that would not as well. Now how do you tell them apart if you are buying at auction? Maybe if you had a plan for the non-concievers. I've heard of guys who buy skinny cows and fatten them up just to send through the ring again.

Heather

[evermoor]

It is illegal to resale dairy culls in Iowa for such a reason. People would buy a mastitis cow haul her to another auction or feed, rebred her and then sell her. If you had a bull empty pasture contact a large dairy and make an offer. My ex works at a mega dairy and they send 20 or so a week for various reasons. They AI off of shots and get rid of anything under 35 pounds a day that is open.

[Up North]

Just to clarify, I would never suggest to buy an auction cow, breed her, and then sell her again. Not cool! I've just heard of guys fattening up sale barn cows to resell for slaughter.

Heather