Weight

65284 · #1 10/18/10, 07:25 PM

A neighbor asked about buying my 5 month old Jersey bull calf, he wants him for future freezer beef. Problem is I have no means to weigh him.

The calf was born here, is now recently weaned, milk and grass fat and in very good condition. I realize this is an almost impossible question to answer, but about what should a calf like this weight? I'm just looking for opinions for an average weight for a weanling like this.

I'm the worlds worst at estimating animal weights so thought I would ask some of our resident cattle folk here.

Thanks.

ksfarmer · #2 10/18/10, 08:03 PM

Can you post a picture? Preferably one with the calf standing next to a person or something to get a perspective of size. A 5 mo old calf could be anywhere from 300lbs up.

rancher1913 · #3 10/18/10, 08:25 PM

they make a tape that you wrap around the calf and it will get you close. never personally used it but have seen articals about them.

topside1 · #4 10/18/10, 08:41 PM

PM me his heart/girth measurement and I'd be glad to use my tape and tell you his weight...Topside

topside1 · #5 10/18/10, 08:42 PM

If you don't have a cloth measuring tape just use a string or yarn, then just measure the yarn...If he's moving around to much just measure one side X two...Topside

65284 · #6 10/18/10, 09:10 PM

Thanks guys, I ordered one of those weight tapes. Are those things anywhere close to accurate?

Roboat · #7 10/18/10, 10:14 PM

they are usually accurate within 50lbs or so but a little less accurate for dairy animals as they are made for beef proportions so he will likely be a little lighter then what the tape tells you

Laura Workman · #8 10/19/10, 05:09 PM

Check out this link. It has really good illustrations of how to take measurements, and good explanations of how to use the measurements once you have them.

http://ag.arizona.edu/backyards/arti...r07/p11-12.pdf