Is this a good buy?

[GBov]

http://ocala.craigslist.org/grd/2616410975.html

We have never had cows before but as the cost of beef just keeps going up and up and up and has less and less flavor at the store, the four footed option just seems a good one to try.

BUT!

Are calves that young actually weened or are they just going without and are even Jersey calves supposed to look that thin?

[sammyd]

Not a bad buy for weaned calves.
How do you plan on feeding them? The cost of feed has increased along with the price of beef....

[GBov]

I am not ready for a calf yet but a friend of mine is. We WILL be getting one at a later date so I am trying to learn to see a good deal when I see one.

We are picking up an eighth of grass fed beef this week - cant bring myself to eat shop beef anymore, its so greasy and tasteless - so I am going to set aside the same money next month and the month after and THEN get my calf. That way I have the feed money set aside all ready so the calf will be fun, rather than a worry. Well, feed wise that is. I tend to worry a bit about new animals lol.

[myersfarm]

real small for 2 months...sides are not filling out....look at ozark jewels post about calfs for sale and compare...her's were younger than 2 months

[GBov]

Originally Posted by myersfarm

real small for 2 months...sides are not filling out....look at ozark jewels post about calfs for sale and compare...her's were younger than 2 months

Ahhhh, thats better! And one of her calves was in the same position as the Craigslist one so seeing the difference in them was easy.

Comparing them, the CL ones look very thin and small.

[mozarkian]

The craiglist pictures look more like a 2 week old calf than 2 months, maybe its not a current photo?

[springvalley]

Calves are a bit thin , but as long as they are healty thats what matters. I can feed a calf but I can`t get some health issues undone, but the price isn`t bad. Just buy one with your friend, they do better by two`s. So just go get two of them, and split the feed. > Marc

[oregon woodsmok]

While I like Jersey beef just fine, it is not economical to raise one unless your feed is very low cost. They have poor feed conversion, so you are going to put a lot of feed into each pound of beef.

Usually, the best economy is to purchase a beef steer that is just about a year old. Price per pound is starting to drop and you can have it in the freezer in just a year, instead of a 2 year wait.

[GBov]

Originally Posted by oregon woodsmok

While I like Jersey beef just fine, it is not economical to raise one unless your feed is very low cost. They have poor feed conversion, so you are going to put a lot of feed into each pound of beef.

Usually, the best economy is to purchase a beef steer that is just about a year old. Price per pound is starting to drop and you can have it in the freezer in just a year, instead of a 2 year wait.

That was my plan but I have just found Jersey/Bramah cross calves for THIRTY DOLLARS EACH!!!

Am trying to be strong but at that price, what do y'all think of the mix?

[myersfarm]

Baby Calves:
Holstein heifers – 150.00-155.00, small 100.00-135.00
Crossbreds 100.00-125.00, small 55.00-60.00
Jerseys heifers – couple small 45.00-70.00
Beef Cross heifers 110.00-185.00
Holstein bulls - 60.00-115.00, small 25.00-65.00
Crossbred bulls - 40.00-70.00
Jersey bulls - 20.00-40.00
Beef Cross bulls – 105.00-150.00, small 60.00-95.00


I do not think that is a good price at all....look around for a beef cross bull..most of these beef crosses is holstien/ angus or holstien / Herford....the price difference in my area would be $70 for a big one or $30 difference for a small one...

Look at the way I think...IF the beef cross only gains 70 more pounds than the braham cross you got your money back and it only cost you a dollar a pound and...with my way of thinking....

with the same feed wheN THE BEEF CROSS is at 400 pounds the braham cross will be at 300.....your money back and more....but the beef at 800 the braham would be at 600....this is me guessing on weight gain but..
I know jerseys real good and the way they grow against Holstiens both getting same feed..but jerseys getting less milk to start
I know you are in FLA. but the beef cross will do great down there also
jersey / braham..are both breds that are hardity..but are also hard to put meat on and both take a long time to mature.. if you had problems you could slaughter a younger beef cross and get beef say at 700 to 800 pounds if you did that to a jersey/ braham all you would get would be bones

[sammyd]

those prices are for babies that still need at least a bag of 70 dollar milk replacer. Big difference from one that is up on starter vaccinated and wormed all ready.

I wouldn't give a nickel for a jersey bull in any shape or form but some folks like em.

[myersfarm]

And i bet these need that bag milk replacer also

Originally Posted by gbov

that was my plan but i have just found jersey/bramah cross calves for thirty dollars each!!!

Am trying to be strong but at that price, what do y'all think of the mix?

[GBov]

Nope! I am going to be strong. The one thing I have learned on here is bottle calves die just to spite the one raising them.

So I will keep to my plan and get an older steer NEXT year.

And I will stop reading Craigs list