would you buy this calf

[Cannon_Farms]

cows are sky high here but I had been thinking of getting a dairy cow but not quite ready to pay what the market is bringing, I offered 250 and a saanen buck kid for her and he accepted but shes not been tested for free martin or johns and shes awful skinny to me and rough coated. what do yall think?
Young Jersey female

[topside1]

She looks healthy to me, seems like a great buy if her reproductive tract is normal...Topside

[mamahen]

I would go as far as saying she's emaciated! I would not give that amount unless she was tested for free-martin or they are genuine enough to tell you the truth (if they know it).

She def. needs wormed and good food. The pasture she is in is just weeds. Maybe it's just a lack of groceries, I don't know.

I would've offered a bit less. In our area, they just had 10 jersey heifers, 2 months old, still getting milk but eating starter & out to pasture, for $200 a piece. They were fat, slick and sassy.

I would keep her isolated from everything else and give her some quality groceries and see what happens.

[Cannon_Farms]

I wish there was a way to self test in the field, we dont have cows so I dont exactly have that tube thing they test with and of couse its an open field. worse case we eat beef too but I was concerned about her looking so unthrifty but Im not very experienced with dairy calves. btw, I finally got it out of him she came from an auction.

[topside1]

This will give you a clue to her value....these calves listed below are less than 5 days old...Once again it's a awesome price & and a great project....Topside

Holstein Heifer Calves: Small 90.00-150.00; Medium and Large; 160.00-335.00
per head.

Holstein Bull Calves: Small 85.00-125.00; Medium and Large 155.00-225.00
per head.

[MO_cows]

I would be tempted to buy her just to worm her, feed her better and watch her bloom.

[linn]

I think she needs wormed and put on good grass.

[CJBegins]

I would be all over it. Take her home, deworm her, love on her and give her lots of good food. You can test her before breeding and if she is a free martin then she will fit in the freezer just fine.

[G. Seddon]

You mention that she came from an auction. How long has the seller had her? If you get her, keep a close eye on her because they're exposed to everything at sale barns and auctions. Hopefully, she'll blossom with good care. Please post more photos when you get her, especially the before's and after's!

[MO_cows]

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

You mention that she came from an auction. How long has the seller had her? If you get her, keep a close eye on her because they're exposed to everything at sale barns and auctions. Hopefully, she'll blossom with good care. Please post more photos when you get her, especially the before's and after's!

That is a good point. If you get her, keep her separate from your other cattle for a month, and vaccinate her.

[tinknal]

If nothing else you will have some slightly overpriced freezer beef

[olivehill]

Learned long ago I can't take in every charity case. That thing isn't "skinny", it's a skelton with a calf's hide. So, I guess what I'm saying is no. Heck no. Especially not for $300. That's way too high, even with the cattle market what it is.

[LittleRedHen]

i'd do $100 but shes way underfed. She could make a fine cow some day with a good amount of love, care and feed.

[goodhors]

She appears poor, for the price she is. Others have already mentioned her being so thin, auction means possible contamination for diseases. Then you would have to invest money to bring her along to get her healthy again, do the wormer AND gaining weight to even reach "normal".

Are you also going to pay for the Vet check and testing? More expenses. And all money lost if she croaks on you!! Calves can go almost as fast as sheep.

I would pass on her. You may as well spend a few more dollars at the start and get a MUCH healthier calf to start with!

[tinknal]

Tell them either that they sell her to you for $50 or you are calling the sheriff. Have your phone in your hand when you make the offer.

[Allen W]

The calf looks alright from the pictures, it doesn't appear to have been stunted yet. Green grass, water and maybe a bit of grain is what the calf needs. If the calf was going to get sick and die it done would have the way it has been took care of.

[springvalley]

Not great pictures, she does seem thin, but your not talking angus here people. I think I would pass myself as she is a bit over priced for a grade jersey, and she came from an auction barn. She isn`t the last heifer in the world, they make more. > Thanks Marc

[Cannon_Farms]

Im just thinking with the price they are going for here and the few brokers I know that deal with dairy replacement hefiers kinda laughed when I told them i wanted to buy a heifer when I though I wanted a milk cow, so if she was culled to an auction I am really worried about the free martin thing and for that amount of money I can get a decent beef calf.
I may have to feed it milk but we have dairy goats so no biggie.
I dont have a pasture, I have good quality hay for my goats via covered round rolls. I may go look at her this evening, to me she looks more like 4 weeks not 4 months.

[Cannon_Farms]

told him I would give him fair market value, here is the averages for GA which puts her at the 220 range
http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/tv_ls145.txt

[springvalley]

If she is weaned already, I sure wouldn`t try feeding her any milk unless you put some dry MR on her sweet feed. Good way to calves to scour is throw something new in the works. If the owner knows nothing about her I would look someplace else. If you a deadset on getting her, put her on some sweet feed and good grass hay, and worm her. She needs some TLC, and some good feed, and a little time. > Thanks Marc