Calf raising questions....

[Middle River]

DH and i are going to figure out a couple ways to bring in a small amount of money from our farm/animals - might as well since we have a farm and enjoy animals right ?

Ok, so, i have dairy goats, and with their milk we raised two very nice calves ( thanks again Up North ) last year, worked well, we had fun and the boys are sweet as ever - problem #1 - we don't think we can eat them, we can sell them for it, we just can't do it, unless they get ugly and mean before next fall. So no more boys - we have decided on heifer calves.

We will buy what we need of beef from a local farmer with some money made from the heifers. And this way we can play with them and work with them and not have to eat them.

Ok, so here are my questions, whats a good price for bottle-age heifer calves ? I got an offer to buy them for $150-$250 each depending on breeding - even less if i buy them soon ( price goes back up in spring when space isn't an issue ). I do have does freshening starting anyday, and will have milk for 3 calves by mid Feb. in order to get a better price.

Next question - we were planning on waiting till later spring for warmer weather as well due to lack of a barn. If we bought them mid Feb. it's still very cold here, and we do not have a barn. We do have a couple run-in shelters, one we could use is about 10 ft. wide, 10ft tall ( in the front ) and about 15ft. long - we could block off the front of this with a cattle panel to keep them in there - it's not a fancy shelter but would keep them dry, however the front would be open so not sure if it would be warm enough. Would this work ?

Otherwise, i think maybe we could build a calf hut sized shelter out of plywood for them ( just big enough for all three ) ?

How well do calves handle the cold winter months ? Is it even possible without a barn, or should i just wait till it starts warming up ?

Thanks !

[Middle River]

Quick update, i can get holstein heifer calves from this farm at a reduced price of $50-$120 each depending on breeding if i get them before March ( they need the room ). They show their cows as well, so i'm thinking they would have quality animals ??? I'm also think some can or will be reg. - is there a big value difference between reg. and non reg. for when i sell them ?

My main concern is how hardy calves are, will they be fine with our freezing WI winter weather, with just a shelter and deep bedding ( no barn ) ?

If they can handle it, anything special i should do/give them ?

Thanks !

[menollyrj]

We tarp the sides of our open "barn," and also tarp at about 5' overhead to conserve warmth. When the temp gets below 20 C at night, we run a heat lamp to add a little warmth. That said, we're not in Wisconsin...

-Joy

[john in la]

Originally Posted by Middle River

i can get holstein heifer calves from this farm at a reduced price of $50-$120 each
I'm also think some can or will be reg.

If you can get registered holstein heifers for 50 to 120 dollars you better buy all you can. Even if it means keeping them in your bed room to keep them warm.

Something does not smell right here.

[Eunice]

The dairy where I work in SW Utah sells bull calve for $50 , but asks $400 for even grade Holstein heifers -as it is hard to find/buy replacement heifers. The dairy raises all their heifer calves without any shelter other than what they can get tied to two bales of alfalfa hay. The newborns may spend a couple of days in the machine room if they are small and the weather is real cold, wet or windy. Last winter our temperatures were down in the range of -25* and we've had warmer weather this winter (-12*) but more snow.

[Middle River]

I was shocked at the price too - but they seem like nice honest people, and we will check out the herd when we go down there to buy them and if it looks bad we will pass and search for others - any advice on what we should look for or ask them ? If they turn out to be a good source, we'd like to stick with them and do this every year.

I'm not sure yet if they will be reg., but i know the cows are and they show as well, so i'd think they could be reg. at least depending on the bulls they use i guess.

If we bought them in mid. Feb, and sell them in the fall ( oct. or nov. ) about how big will they be and what would they be worth ( just looking for a guess as we are very new to cows ) ? Whats a good diet for heifer calves ? I will be feeding goats milk, but what and when do i give them other stuff ? Any recomended brands/types of feed ? Alfalfa or grass mix hay ? Gosh, i hope you all won't mind my questions i'll be asking :+)

I'm very excited though, i love calves, and being heifers i can halter train them and monkey with them and not have to worry about eating them :+)

I can tarp the shelter better too, not sure about running a heat lamp all the way out there though, but we plan on building a box for the back of the truck to bring them home in, i suppose we could put that in the shelter as well in case they want to go in there too, so it would be a shelter in a shelter.

Speaking of the box, will that be a safe way to bring them back ? It will most likely be around 10 degrees here ( give or take-could be way colder or warmer ) and it's about a 60 mile trip one way. The box would be plywood and bedded with straw, fully inclosed except for about a 6in. tall opening on the back ( towards the tailgate ) for a vent and peeking out/in.

Whats a good antibiotic for baby calves to have on hand if needed ? Other must haves to have on hand ? Thanks !!!

[topside1]

Middle River, what are price. Sure they are not selling you the freemartins of the herd? Bull calves are sold at that price here in Tennessee. If this is the real deal then by all means fill up the bedroom with them....Send photos

[Middle River]

LOL ! If hubby would let me fill up the bedroom i would ! I know the price is very low, at least compared to other places i checked out around here, and i hope they aren't selling me the freemartins ! Yikes ! I belive they are a smaller farm, and she said they have limited room for the calves so it would benifit them to just get rid of them. I am wondering what i should look for or ask for though, just to be safer. Such as with goats, when i buy them, i want to know the CAE and CL status - not sure about cows though.

If it is a good source for them though, i may be tempted to pick up more then 3 and just feed 1/2 replacer and 1/2 goats milk as i only will have half my does fresh so can only support 3 on just goats milk.But then again, maybe i should just stick to a few till i get the hang of things :+)

Thanks !

[TulleyJohnMyers]

I got an offer to buy them for $150-$250 each depending on breeding - even less if i buy them soon ( price goes back up in spring when space isn't an issue ). I do have does freshening starting anyday, and will have milk for 3 calves by mid Feb. in order to get a better price.


Quick update, i can get holstein heifer calves from this farm at a reduced price of $50-$120 each depending on breeding if i get them before March ( they need the room ). They show their cows as well, so i'm thinking they would




I am the one that posted the pictures of my dairy heifer operations

that is what I pay for the heifers I raise in the winter. $200 to $300.....but the same calfs in the summer sell for $500 ..I buy them as many as I can get have bought 31 at a time.. but never from a dairy if you only buy 3 you will be leaving a lot money on the table....unless they sell you the freemartins as you say you ARE NEW TO COWS......I sell my calfs in the summer when the 3 day olds sell for $500 then they run in my 300 pounders and I usually get $800 to $1000....three things calfs need .....out of the drafts........colostrum...... and clean areas to lay in...... best of luck .....tjm



at $50 to $120 they will be a steal milk replacer only runs $65 a calf to raise to weaning so if you can you would have $200 calf sell for $800 their is profit in them kind of numbers..thats what I do every year........

[TulleyJohnMyers]

I do alot of studing on heifer calfs and looking up the prices in YOUR AREA something is a a miss here is reports from Wic.


look at the prices around the weight of 90 lbs as thats what a new born will weight


get a freemartin probe and use it before you buy

MD_LS151
Madison, WI Thu. Nov. 15, 2007 USDA-WI Dept of Ag Market News

Summary of Wisconsin dairy auction at Richland Cattle Center,
Ithaca, Wisconsin on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007.

Holsteins unless otherwise stated. Prices per head, unless otherwise stated.
Receipts: This week 225 head, Last month 225, Year ago 150
Demand: Moderate to good with good buyer attendance. Harvest and much of the
field work has been completed and dairy farmers again have time to look for
cattle. Supplies of cattle were good with all classes represented. The bulk of
the cattle were in the fresh milking cow category. Quality of cattle was mostly
good with some high quality cattle being offered. Prices were steady to $100.00
higher from last month and last year with the most gains on high quality cattle.
Supply: 60% Fresh Milking Cows, 10% Springing Cows, 10% Springing Heifers,
20% Open Heifers

Fresh Milking Cows: 2-6 years old

Supreme - 2200.00-2500.00 individual at 2700.00

Approved - 1800.00-2200.00

Medium - 1450.00-1800.00

Common - 1000.00-1450.00

Bred Cows:

Approved - 1900.00-2075.00 bred 7-9 months (Springing)

Medium - 1550.00-1725.00 bred 7-9 months (Springing)

Common - 1100.00-1400.00 bred 7-9 months (Springing)

Bred Heifers:

Supreme - 2100.00-2500.00 bred 7-9 months (Springing)

Approved - 1700.00-1925.00 bred 7-9 months (Springing)

Medium - 1350.00-1750.00 bred 7-9 months (Springing)
1550.00-1700.00 bred 1-3 months (Short Bred)

Common - 1000.00-1300.00 bred 7-9 months (Springing)

Open Heifers: (estimated weights)

90-130 lbs. - 425.00- 675.00
350-500 lbs. - 850.00-1175.00
600-800 lbs. - 1100.00-1425.00
900-1200 lbs. - 1200.00-1425.00 individual 1760.00

Source: Wisconsin Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Madison, WI
Bob Hunter 608/206-7901
www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/MD_LS151.txt

07:00c rhh


MD_LS152
Madison, WI, Mon. Dec 31, 2007 USDA-WI Dept of Ag Market News

Summary of Wisconsin dairy auction at the Cow Palace North, Kaukauna,
Wisconsin
on Saturday, Dec 29, 2007.

Holsteins unless otherwise stated. Prices on a per head basis.
Receipts: 130 head, Last Sale 100, Last Year 125

Demand: Good with excellent buyer attendance.

Comment: Higher milk prices, dairy herd expansion, excellent attendance and a
positive outlook to the new year combined to push prices higher.
Prices were 200.00-300.00 higher compared to the last sale.

Supply: 100% Fresh Milking Cows

Fresh Milking Cows: 2-5 years old
Supreme - 3,000.00-3,500.00 topping at 4,100.00

Approved - 2,500.00-3,000.00.

Medium - 1,900.00-2,550.00.

Common - 1,450.00-1,900.00.

Open Heifers:
100-120 lbs. - 600.00-950.00

Source: Wisconsin Dept. of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Madison, WI
Rick Whipp 608/224-5097
www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/MD_LS152.txt


MD_LS140
Madison, WI Tue Jan 15, 2008 USDA-WDATCP Market News

Summary of Wisconsin livestock auction at Stratford, Monday, Jan 14, 2008.

Receipts: cattle 275 calves 400

Compared to last Thursday's auctions, slaughter cows were steady.
Demand moderate. Supply 85 percent slaughter cows.

Slaughter cows: Percent lean Weight Bulk
Premium White 65-75 percent over 1400 lbs. 47.00-50.00
Breakers 75-80 percent over 1250 lbs. 45.00-48.00
Boners 80-85 percent over 1100 lbs. 42.00-46.00
Lean 85-90 percent over 1000 lbs. 38.00-42.00, few 43.00
Low Dressing Lean 85-90 percent over 1000 lbs. 33.50-38.00

Holstein slaughter steers:
Choice 2-3 1300-1700 lbs. 76.00-78.50 lightly tested
Select and Choice 2-3 1100-1500 lbs. 73.00-76.00 lightly tested

Slaughter bulls: Y.G. 1-2 1500-2100 lbs 53.25-57.50
1000-1500 lbs 50.00-54.00

Vealers were weak. Replacement Holstein Bull calves 20.00-30.00 higher.
Replacement Holstein heifer calves steady. Demand for replacement Holstein
bull calves moderate to good, good for replacement Holstein heifer calves,
and light for vealers. Near 95 percent were sold to replacement accounts.

Vealers: Good and Choice boning type: (Sold on a per head basis)
90-110 lbs 10.00-20.00
70- 90 lbs 10.00-20.00

Replacement Holstein bull calves: (Sold on a per head basis)
100-120 lbs 90.00-125.00, few 130.00
85-100 lbs 70.00- 95.00, few 110.00
120-140 lbs 80.00-115.00, few 125.00

Replacement Holstein heifer calves: (Sold on a per head basis)
90-120 lbs 500.00-725.00

Source: Wisconsin Dept. of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Madison, WI
Rick Whipp 608/516-3700
www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/MD_LS140.txt

08:00c rdw

[sammyd]

I have seen calves raised in hutches in norther WI(Barron Cty). As long as they are dry when you put them out and you have the hutch opening south and plenty of good dry bedding in it.
Guy I worked for said he would put them out down to 20 below.
I keep mine in the garage. Nothing special, not insulated or even double walled. Just a wood sided pole structure. Again, good dry bedding is a must.

[Middle River]

Holy cow those prices are high ! Hopefully this is a good thing, but shoot, even if i find some in the $200-$300 range it will still be worth it.

TulleyJohnMyers - what do you mean by this ? ".. but never from a dairy if you only buy 3 you will be leaving a lot money on the table...." Also, what is a freemartin probe, is it effective and where can i get one ?

The calves aren't born yet, i will be buying from the feb. due cows ( hopefully they have heifers born even ) - i will get to go see everybody and pick the calves out, how common are freemartins ? I mean, if they don't have any twins born, my chances of getting one is quite slim isn't it ? Would they be smaller if a twin/freemartin ?

What should i have on hand for baby calves, and what should i look for when picking them ?

By the way TulleyJohnMyers - i LOVE your set up !

Thanks !

[Middle River]

Well if they can stay outside in Barron County they should be fine here too i'd think, i'm not far from Barron County. If the temps drop too low we could maybe make room in the garage for a day or two as well - or i could blanket them ?

If i feed 1/2 milk replacer and 1/2 goat milk, with that work ? If so, whats a recomended brand ?

I'll stock up on straw too - i plan on deep straw bedding.

Thanks !

[TulleyJohnMyers]

TulleyJohnMyers - what do you mean by this ? ".. but never from a dairy if you only buy 3 you will be leaving a lot money on the table...." Also, what is a freemartin probe, is it effective and where can i get one

I would pay $50 more per calf if I could pick up at the dairy instead of.... hauled to the sale barn in a open pick up ...setting at the sale barn all day .....beating on them going though the sale barn and mixed with all the other calfs licking and sucking on them

only buying 3 /.......5 is as easy as 3.........10 as easy as 5


but you do need to start slow and learn how to raise them or you can lose all of them



freemartin probe is a probe you put lube on and stick in the vigina of the calf if it goes in to a mark it is a freemartin if it goes to another mark they are good ones...you can buy at jefferies if you can not find one let me know will find you a link




btw those prices i posted are in the Wic. location don't know if near you but they are high all ovr the USA... more then $200

Yes the small ones can be a twin or out of a heifer....but both can grow up in a week or two to look bigger then a new borns so be careful with that also

when picking up a rule I use " head and tail" head bawling and tail dry.....hungury calf is a healthy calf one bawling is hungury and a dry tail with NO wet stuff stuck to tail can be stuff just not wet......gold pop is the best thats colostrum...tjm

[Middle River]

TulleyJohnMyers - no luck finding the freemartin probe at Jeffers - i just looked, could you please post a link ? Thank you so much for your tips and advice - it's very helpful and i much appreciate it !

I'm sure i'll have a lot of questions, so i thought i'd start asking them in advance so i will be better prepared when the time comes - you are all such a great help a source of knowledge !

[TulleyJohnMyers]

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.h...e-5595e43850f1



ok sorry its from valley vet $25.95 but worth every penny.....tjm

[Middle River]

Thanks !

[Up North]

As long as you can keep the calves out of the wind and have a thick layer of of dry bedding you don't have to worry about the calves being able to handle the cold. You know what our calf barn looked like in WI. Before I married Mark I kept my calves in calf hutches. If we had a stretch of really cold weather. We're talking below zero, we would increase their milk a bit. I'm curious who are you able to buy calves from? I might know who they are.

Heather

[Middle River]

I pm'd you Up North :+)

[Lena]

"problem #1 - we don't think we can eat them, we can sell them for it, we just can't do it, unless they get ugly and mean before next fall. "

ROFL! I TOLD you that you would get too attached to those boys!

May I ask what a "Freemartin" is? I have never heard that term before.
I do know someone who raises beef cows- I could talk to her to see if she would sell you some and for what price. Her cows have just started calving.