Freezer Bound (pic)

[topside1]

Just thought I'd share. I've raised a lot of calves over the years, nearly all come from the sale barn. Most of the calves from the barn give me problems that I'm repeatedly ready to handle. Recently I went to a local Jersey farm and bought this little guy. From the farm to my barn he rode in my wife's van, AC on, and radio tuned in. From day three to week 7 this farm calf has never had a problem. I've raised at least 10 off farms, but forget how easy it can be if you follow learned calf raising rules. My advice is don't be afraid of the sale barn, just be prepared. Folks new to calf raising please make every effort to purchase from an area farm. Most calves at the sale barn were never ill before being loaded, they fell ill from the stress of being loaded, unloaded, show ring, loaded again and so on. Just thought I'd say hi....Topside
P.S. this boy was raised on one bag of quality milk replacer & is only 7 weeks old. I'm still milking goats but had no extra for him to enjoy....From my angle it appears MR agreed with him...Signing off now, Topside

[Callieslamb]

Nice looking calf - and pretty familiar-looking too. I raised my last jersey steer on MR - he did very well. Never a moment's problem. I was advised to buy the good stuff and I did. Now that I have a milk cow, the new steer is getting the milk. He is mentally challenged though - after a week, he still can't drink from a bucket!

[gone-a-milkin]

Hi Topside. He sure looks good.

You managed to get a pic just before he goes into that next growth spurt,
the one where they are all skull and belly.

So you are weaning him off @ 7 weeks?
or am I misunderstanding that?

[BlackWillowFarm]

He looks good!...... and tasty.

[topside1]

Gone a milkin, he'll be weaned at 8 weeks which is in about two more days...He'll be fine, eating plenty grains and grasses now...Right now he's been living with the goats, I'll be moving him in with the other cattle around the 10-12 week mark...Hope all is well in MO..Topside

[gone-a-milkin]

Everything in MO is good. We have had a rainy July and the 2nd cutting alfalfa is all on the ground.
I almost wish that I was a grazing critter, that is going to be some gorgeous hay for a change.

I have no problem with weaning at 8 weeks, especially this time of year.

I can look at that steer calf and almost taste the juicy yellow fat on the edge of those gemmy little steaks.

[topside1]

Jersey is all this family eats, exactly what you said...yummy

[francismilker]

Seein the pic of that little guy makes my mouth water a wish the jersey I've finishing now would grow a little faster.

[TSYORK]

They're mighty fine eatin!

[Cannon_Farms]

oh but the one calf/cow I could never do in, those soft brown eyes get to me. Now, angus, holstien, ect, I can say Beef, its whats for dinner and not have a bit of problem with it.

[Michael W. Smith]

I would assume he will be butched not this Fall but next Fall, correct?

Once he is butchered, how many pounds of meat to you figure you will end up with?

I'd sure like to try this sometime. I have both a Jersey farm and a Holstein farm within two miles of my house. I'd be afraid I'd get too attached though!

[topside1]

Michael, next fall sounds right. Usually a tad over 400 pounds will end up in the freezer. Boy is the Jersey meat tasty, that's all we eat at our house. The attachment only lasts so long, got to eat....Topside

[KimM]

Awwww, how could you eat him, he's so cute!! (pass the horseradish please)