What to charge

[Judith]

What would you charge for 1 month old Holstien heifers? They are not registered as they come from a large commercial herd bred solely for huge production. But they have great temperments and fantastic "milkability".

[haypoint]

Your local livestock auction would be able to tell you what they are selling for right now. In my area, the big dairies sell all their calves shortly after birth, then buy bred heifers for replacements. As a result, several farms now buy all their week old heifer calves, raise them and sell the bred mature heifer to the big daries. This has driven the cost of those week olds thru the roof. So many die, especially if you don't have much experience that it becomes a risky deal for the novice.

[Up North]

The following report shows various Dairy cattle prices at Norwood, MO. It may serve as a guide: Holstein heifer calves near bottom of report. http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/jc_ls130.txt

[Judith]

Thank you! Our market reports only show the bull calf prices.