Would you buy angusxjersey milk cow?

InHisName · #1 08/27/11, 07:55 PM

Found an angus/jersey on craigslist- 3 years, with 3/4 angus steer calf, for $1300. They said she was so tame, the children could ride her. She gave 2 gallons, that is with the new calf on her. Would you think that a fair price?

**gone-a-milkin** · #2 08/27/11, 08:19 PM

Probably, yes.

She is a good age, used to being milked, comes with a calf.

Let us see the ad? How old is the calf?

Unless her udder is terrible or she has some other major flaw...I think it sounds like a reasonable deal.
I would really try to get her bred back first, if you dont have access to a bull.

tinknal · #3 08/27/11, 08:26 PM

Good price. If I were in the market I would snap her up.

InHisName · #4 08/27/11, 09:48 PM

Here is the link http://spokane.craigslist.org/grd/2567696645.html
Thanks, GAM, to remind to breed back. Cows are new to me- have milk goats here. Housing is an issue- can she be housed with goats? I would have to sell my beloved goats to keep her, and trying to figure out how much hay I would need to get to feed her through the winter. Have 13 sheep, and 7 goats here at the moment, but perhaps we can thin the herd to make way for a milk cow
What questions should I ask about this cow?
Also, how much pasture would we need for her and calf? I have 6 acres fenced at the moment...

**gone-a-milkin** · #5 08/27/11, 10:08 PM

It sounds like she just barely freshened. So she will probably not be bred again for a couple months.

Everyone has a different opinion when it comes to keeping different stock together.
I have seen it work to keep cows and goats together, and I have heard stories of how it did NOT work.

Sorry, I am no help with that question.

How much do they eat? Well...a LOT.Esp compared to your smaller stock.
They are not as picky as the little critters and lots of people run them behind their goats/sheep because the cows will clean up some of the hay that gets 'wasted' by the picky-pants goats. .

This is actually 2 cows you would be getting. Dont forget.

From that pic I will say this cow does not have the greatest udder attachment.
She is going to be heavier in the back quarters and over time she will likely lose her center support. Then her teats will all stick out sideways.
It is not that important if you are using her to raise calves, but for a milk cow you really prefer to see the teats hang straight down, especially on a young animal like her.

How much pasture do you have?

**gone-a-milkin** · #6 08/27/11, 10:15 PM

I think you should go meet her. Plan your visit for milking time and see what you think of her after you have milked her.
You know about milking. Trust your instincts.

If she isnt right, or you are not ready yet then you can give her a skip.
There are a lot of good cows in the world.

InHisName · #7 08/27/11, 10:55 PM

Milk her! Why didn't I think of that.
I do not like sticking out teats in goats (hard to make the bucket), so that would be an issue with a cow, surely. Will check it out.
Have 6 acres fenced now, would need more for these guys, so would have to wait till spring. Thanks, GAM-

Callieslamb · #8 08/27/11, 11:08 PM

It's hard to say how many acres she would need, since acres are covered in different amounts of grass. I had 5 sheep and 1 cow on an acre and they did really well. I'd think 6 would be plenty unless the grass is sparse.

As for a cow tame enough to ride- I find that depends. She might let people she is familiar with do what the want, but going into a new situation, expect a bit of bad behavior until she settles in. I'd buy an angus/jersey cross. I'd breed her to a jersey- hope for a heifer and keep the heifer if the first cow's udder goes south. With an angusXjersey, you're sure to get some beefier calves for the freezer.

francismilker · #9 08/28/11, 12:05 AM

That cross makes a really good family cow and makes even better family beef when bred back to a beef bull. With today's cattle market in my area, it would be a fair price.

InHisName · #10 08/28/11, 08:52 AM

here is another question: the fencing we have is field fencing, for goats and sheep. Our only neighbor is a cattle rancher, and sometimes his angus cows/bull are in the field ajoining our land. If a cow is in heat, will she go through field fencing? I hear horror stories of cows and fencing in that situation-

francismilker · #11 08/28/11, 07:47 PM

I'm not sure there is such a fence that can keep an eager bull away from a heifer in heat. (Unless it's a pipe rail fence and neither is a jumper.) Time will tell though.

mamagoose · #12 08/28/11, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone-a-milkin

Probably, yes.

She is a good age, used to being milked, comes with a calf.

Let us see the ad? How old is the calf?

Unless her udder is terrible or she has some other major flaw...I think it sounds like a reasonable deal.
I would really try to get her bred back first, if you dont have access to a bull.

DITTO.

AngusXJersey are common and Jersey farmers even mix them back in their own herd.

springvalley · #13 08/28/11, 10:50 PM

I think this would make you a wonderful cow, and you will have beef for your freezer also. I would ask if the neighbor would mind if you could get his bull to breed your cow. otherwise a hot wire around the pasture may keep your cattle seperate. Good luck > Marc

RoyalValley · #14 08/30/11, 11:08 PM

Yep, I wouldn't question it. She should be a nice milker for you. You can probably still plan on using as much hay for the one cow as 4 or 5 of your goats did. I am milking a holsteinxAngus and she is fabulous, 2 gallons a day, decent cream line, very gentle. Teats stuck out a little when she first freshened but they are beautiful now after pulling the calf and just hand milking.

Good luck. $1300 with the calf is a good price and you have a lot of years left in her.

DJ in WA · #15 09/01/11, 12:28 AM

AngusXJersey is great - helps cut down on the high production of a Jersey for most people.

Less chance of milk fever, etc.

When bred to beef bull, get a beefier calf.

My favorite cow was a Lowline angus X Jersey. She was also very gentle.

Just know that individuals vary.

My first thoughts with this cow (I also saw her on craigslist) - and granted, photos can deceive.

She appears tall - hopefully Jersey cross and not Holstein. I'd be interested in her height and what kind of angus and jersey she was bred to.

Her teats appear large. While they can be easy to get hold of, as she gets older they might get too big, and possibly hard for a calf to suck. Also, large teats have risk of ballooning.

Would be interesting to go look and take pictures of her and her udder and post here. If nothing else you could learn something. Or just buy her and then really learn something.

Pasohorsegal · #16 09/01/11, 07:37 AM

I just talked to a Lady in Colorado that wants 2200.00 for her Jersey angus cross says they are hartier then the plain Jersey take cold better . Thats a great price! Wish I could find something like that . what about a Jersey and Highlander cross? That would be a hearty cow. Milk , hair,and good disposition.