best age to sell bottle-fed calf?

[cathleenc]

At what age, from 3 weeks to 5 months, would be the best time to sell a bottle-fed jersey bull calf, in order to get the best sale price?

should he be castrated and banded?

We could wean him at 6 weeks - or let him have milk as long as we have extra. I would imagine he'd grow better with continued milk - true? what if the milk is in smaller volumes than he currently gets?

he is 25% commercial jersey, 25% commercial holstein, 50% old world jersey. Being raised on organic goat milk & organic feed.

thanks!
Cathy

[francismilker]

Not trying to sound ugly but if you're selling him at the sale barn there's not a good age right now to sale a jersey bull. If you're selling him private treaty I'd say the older the better.

[cathleenc]

Originally Posted by francismilker

Not trying to sound ugly but if you're selling him at the sale barn there's not a good age right now to sale a jersey bull. If you're selling him private treaty I'd say the older the better.

it's okay - the truth is always the best way to answer. Sincerely hoping to not go to an auction barn with this guy. Would actually like to trade him for some beef. We'll see how it goes.

[lasergrl]

disbud him and put him on craigslist now and you might get $100-$150 as a pet or bull because he is half "mini" . Put in the ad bull or steer, your choice. I dont know how your area is but I would definately be able to get that price at the age he is now.
Sale barn brings $5 here, not even worth selling.

[Trisha in WA]

Originally Posted by cathleenc

Would actually like to trade him for some beef. We'll see how it goes.

Grow him out and eat him...best beef you'll ever have.

[sammyd]

yeah...why trade him.
Band him burn him and let him go till next fall.
Might be a bit small for say a family of 12 but should have a good amount of beef there.