Calf Breeds/Opinions.......New Twist to Decision

[farmmaid]

OK..I have available to me the two free 1/2 Brown Swiss 1/2 Jersey calves. NOW I have available to me FREE 1/2 Holestein 1/2 Angus calves. Gosh I was only looking for one, maybe two, maybe...............

New Opinions PLEASE.................We have absolutely loved the Jersey steer meat, BUT...............free is free or is it?

[tnokie]

Lucky you! If you can afford to feed them and have the room take them all. you can always sell them when they get older! like they say"make hay while the sun shines".

[Callieslamb]

I'd take free.....anyday....even if it wasn't quite the breed I was thinking about. Where do you find these kinds of DEALS!!!! As for taste - I think grown yourself and eaten fresh - no matter what breed - beats that storebought stuff hands down.

[KSALguy]

we had two HUGE half holstine half Angus brood cows, they would have made great milk cows if we had gotten them young enough to start milking them but they produced nice HUGE calfs that were GREAT in the freezer,

[farmmaid]

Here where I am in NY, it cost the farmer to send a Jersey or Holestein bull calf to the auction by the time he pays commission and trucking! I know an another dairy that just shoots the bull calves right after they are born, a shame!@#% The first "deal" are neighbors and I do barter for care of his dog. The second deal they advertized on Craig's list. They used to charge $20 for the Angus cross calves but wanted to give them away now to help people in need........nice lady!
Need to sleep on the choices tonight, said I would let them know tomorrow. I will probably take one Jersey and one Angus cross. Another year, when we get the lower farm back into shape (fences and redo the barn), I may get several to start and sell. If I do that I would pay $20 for the Angus cross calves and consider it a great deal.

[Cheribelle]

Wow, you don't find them like that around here!

[farmmaid]

Decision made.............getting one of each. One full Jersey calf and one 1/2 Holestein 1/2 Angus. I will keep good records and compare the two at harvesting. Not set up for space and feed this year for more than two. Now next year........................

[lasergrl]

I would have gotten the swiss cross, it would grow out alot better. I never heard how swiss tastes but alot of people out here have swiss steers in their pastures and man are they beefy.

[springvalley]

It realy doesn`t matter what breed you get home raised is better than store bought meat. And so much cheaper, because you know what you are feeding him. I love my jersey`s, and I do have a swiss cross, and one of (my) first cows I hand milked was a hereford/holstein cross and she was fantastic ole milk cow/stock cow. I myself would have gotten all of them, but thats just me. I don`t know why I can`t get any free calves over here. Good luck with the calves. > Thanks Marc

[francismilker]

For beef.............The half angus calves will/should out gain the bull dairy breed. Just my two cents.

[lamoncha lover]

I want a fre calf too....Brat!

[farmmaid]

The Jersey/Brown Swiss calf is here and he is a beauty. Have had him a week and he is thriving. The farmer told us that next year he will have LOTS of Jersey and Jersey/Holstein and Jersey/Brown Swiss crosses because he ran a Jersey bull, no AI.
I am waiting for the next round of the Holstein/Angus calves to be born. I checked with that farm and I am first on the list for as many bull calves as I want. If this drags toward spring, I many rethink getting only one of that cross.
Sheep arrived back today from being bred so all goats and sheep are bred for spring 2011, to be continued...............

[Shades of Gray]

I thought you said it was a full Jersey calf? Oh well it will get quite a bit bigger now with the swiss cross.

[farmmaid]

Farmar #1 I had the choice of full Jersey (again) or Jersey/Brown Swiss cross..I decided at the last minute to try the cross.
Farmer #2 The cross is Holstein/Angus. I am waiting for more calves to be born. I have first pick..............................