Didn't get our bottle calves

dixiegal62 · #1 03/31/12, 02:21 PM

Seems they are not an easy thing to find here in N Alabama.

We have a dairy down the road from us where one of our sons friends works. This is not a teenager, he's been working at the dairy for years. When we first found out about the bull calves we where told $50.00 each. Which is pretty cheap from what we've heard around here.

The owner was suppose to call us in a week. after the week went by we where told $100.00 each. We told him we would still get them, we figured sons friend got the price wrong. Well yesterday was when we where suppose to pick up the calves. Bought supplies, got stall ready and waited eagerly for the call. When we finally heard something, it was to tell us he doesn't sell calves. We tried to deal with the owner but could never speak to him personally. When we spoke to Justin the last time, he said he didn't know why the change as he had been selling calves for him the last 2 weeks and even delivering some of them himself for him.

Can't really fault the owner because I never got a chance to talk to him personally but I sure am disappointed. Knowing Justin as well as I do I doubt he was leading us along though, the whole thing was just odd. This was our only lead on bottle calves in awhile. I'm leary of buying from an auction but I guess it's going to be our only choice.

Cheryl aka JM · #2 03/31/12, 06:56 PM

If your willing to drive a bit, watch the nashville and the atlanta craigslist ads. There are a couple places. I usually try to combine my trip with something else or it hurts too much on the gas. And $50 each....if you find that let me know. I've been paying $125. Once I got them for $100 each, another time I flat out refused when the price was $150 each. I've yet to get them from the dairy. I usually find the guys who pick up a couple hundred at the dairies in Florida, get them started and then sell them up north for a profit. Make sure to see each calves living conditions, poop, and make sure they suck on your fingers eagerly. Have scour meds ready BEFORE you go get the calves. Some will already be given pnumonia vaccine, if not....get it before you go get the calves.

If your wanting to drive the other direction I hear there are a couple dairies in the way south alabama that also do calves.

If you don't find any before the next time I need some (Middle of this summer probably when my girl freshens again) then maybe we can save the gas and combine a trip.
Good luck!

oregon woodsmok · #3 03/31/12, 06:56 PM

I can see where the hired hand might think things would continue as they always had. Maybe the owner had a buyer for all the calves. It really isn't necessary for him to inform the hired help of all his business decisions.

And, quite honestly, the hired help should not be taking it on himself to sell calves without getting the owners permission for each transaction.

farmgirl6 · #4 03/31/12, 08:58 PM

hey Dix, I looked forever myself, I am in Northern Alabama as well, just kept watching craigs list, I think I was working with someone named Justin for a while but that was a long time ago..small world

**gone-a-milkin** · #5 03/31/12, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oregon woodsmok

I can see where the hired hand might think things would continue as they always had. Maybe the owner had a buyer for all the calves. It really isn't necessary for him to inform the hired help of all his business decisions.

And, quite honestly, the hired help should not be taking it on himself to sell calves without getting the owners permission for each transaction.

It does sound like the farm has a new buyer for the calves.
However, I take slight offense to the statement that the Farmer Boss shouldn't have to inform his help of these changes.

For all any of us know this Justin person has been handling it all for a long time. Just saying.

It is nice when the boss lets you know he is going to do something differently.

dixiegal62 · #6 04/01/12, 07:50 AM

It's a good lesson on doing business through a middle person. I won't make the same mistake again. Cheryl aka JM thanks for the tips I'll keep looking and let you know if I find any. Driving too far is a bit of an issue right now as DH has cancer and I don't like to get too far from him. Meanwhile I have the supplies I need though I do have to check and see if the milk replacement keeps long, I may have to return it and wait until I have the calves. The stall and enclosed coral are done and waiting.