Questions to ask when inquiring about heifer...

[sunnyday]

We are considering purchasing a heifer to raise for milking in the future. We have chickens, but are wanting a cow to milk on our farm We've decided to start with a heifer to give us time to get some knowledge under our belts. Can you all give me some ideas of questions to ask a seller when inquiring about a calf? Anything you can think of would be greatly appreciated so we can make a good choice! We are thinking jersey, guernsey or dexter....also looking into miniatures....(also wondering if fertility can be determined with a blood test...is this something that is commonly done?)

Thank you very much in advance for any help you can offer! Have a great night...

[haypoint]

Are you talking about getting a 6 month old or a 6 day old heifer?
If you are considering a week old, read the sticky on buying calves.

Rather than select a miniature, get a good milk goat. You'l get an animal that has been selected for milking ability for thousands of years instead of a cow that has been selected for size alone.

[francismilker]

If you're interested in getting a family milk cow and raising her from a heifer, I'd suggest going to the local dairy sale and buying a weined heifer. I realize you're taking a slight risk of her being a freemartin and possibly growing up to be a three quartered cow, but for a family milk cow you don't need all the milk a dairy cow can produce anyway. (unless you've got a reality show called "Eighteen kids and counting")
Today's prices are a buyer's market and you might even consider buying two with one to sale later once you've bred them and start seeing signs of udder development. By then, you can make a choice based on udder appearance and teat length of which one would be the better milk cow.
You can definetely buy two for the price of one if you compare this year's prices to last year's prices. If you try going to a farm where someone has handraised this heifer and where you can see the calf's dam, you're going to pay a lot more money. (not that the person doesn't deserve to charge more for their time and effort)
I'd personally take the gamble of buying one at the sale with today's prices.

[Up North]

Looking at the mother will usually give a pretty good idea of what the daughter will be like

[ozark_jewels]

I second checking out the dam before buying the daughter. Which is something you can't usually do at a sale unfortunately. The mother should have an udder that is easy to milk and doesn't hang below the hocks. Look for a good topline, not bowed or swayed. You don't need a show cow, but you do want a cow with longevity. Good structure contributes much to long productivity.

[Callieslamb]

Welcome to the forum!
Buy a heifer that you can see the dam....always. Or buy from someone you know has a well-cared-for herd. They will know their cows, the history, etc.

Have you checked the "for sale or trade" area on this forum?

[Madsaw]

A few things I would look for is. If the farm she came from is johnes free or not. Also ask if she was a twin to a bull.
Bob