Jersey steer beef

Cannon_Farms · #1 12/12/10, 09:26 PM

some one has weaning near me for $75 and i was just wondering about how much meet dose a steer give if you raise it to the normal year, or do they take longer?

Ronney · #2 12/13/10, 05:32 AM

Jersey is my beef of choice and as I no longer run a Jersey bull I either have to buy in a Jersey calf to rear or eat one of my Jersey/Angus crosses.

They are a small, light dairy breed and never in a month of Sundays are you going to get a huge quantity of meat out of them. Yes, they take longer to grow out but if the situation allows, what is to stop you taking it through to 18 months. Ours are killed as 2 year olds and give enough meat to last a year. This is for a family of 2 with the odd kid and visitor arriving, and eaten in conjunction with pork and mutton.

Cheers,
Ronnie

BlackWillowFarm · #3 12/13/10, 07:21 AM

I butchered a 14 month old Jersey freemartin heifer last year in late December. It is the best beef we've had. Others have said the same thing. We have a Jersey steer growing now for the next one. In fact, as good as it is, I don't see why I would raise any other kind of beef.

We got close to 400 pounds hanging weight and in our family of three we are just now running out of beef almost a year later. Like Ronney, we also eat pork and chicken and we have visitors for dinner now and then. We eat out for dinner more than I'd like, but with both of us working, we have to sometimes.

topside1 · #4 12/13/10, 07:22 AM

Just like Ronney, Jersey is all we eat here too. Slow growers but worth it's weight in flavor. I have one going to slaughter on Jan 13, he was weight taped on thanksgiving day @ 837 pounds he should weigh in at around 880. From that weight figure 45% into your freezer....I'd buy the steer if I were you, weaned for $75 is giving it away....Topside

Callieslamb · #5 12/13/10, 07:56 AM

We just butchered one in Sept. He was 16-17 months old. 642 lbs hanging weight. We sold 1/4 to pay the butcher fees and hope we will have enough beef for a year. It's great meat. I am not sure if that is becasue it is jersey or fresh and raised on grass and corn. Our steer was very mellow and friendly. He was never any trouble to raise. If I could get a weaned jersey steer for $75 - I'd think I'd found a bargain! I just bought holstein steers to raise for $70. I'm raising them to weaning age after paying that price.

Jerseys don't get as large as a beef breed. They won't carry as much meat. The T-bones aren't as large. I don't think a jersey eats as much as a beef breed either. I fed mine about 2 lbs of grain a day and the last two months, fed him 15 lbs of corn a day. Other than that- it was grass and hay.

Cannon_Farms · #6 12/13/10, 08:14 AM

thanks, they are not quite yet weaned but close, i can get replacer for $1lb so thats not too bad if i have to buy a bag or two depending on how many i get.
thanks guys yall are the best

springvalley · #7 12/13/10, 08:34 AM

How old is the calf, you shouldn`t have to buy MR if he is ready to wean. The price is cheap, I sell mine at 100 three days old , IF I sell any. And we also eat Jersey steer, no doubt about it, they are tasty. You will want to keep him for more than a year, as he won`t be very big then. Good luck. > Marc

topside1 · #8 12/13/10, 10:08 AM

Like Marc mentioned keep the steer growing well beyond one year. I wait until 18 months old, then wave goodbye.