when to sell or keep bottle calves

[colo5ac]

Hi there, I am new to the forum, and I have a question. Instead of finishing a couple steers this year, we found a great deal on angus bottle calves, two steers and a heifer. They were born in late Feb, early may. They are quite a bit smaller than this year's calves I see coming in off the public land grazing alotments. I have about 100 small bales of second cutting grass/alfalfa. They are going through about 2/3+ of a bale/day, with about a coffee can of calf grower (18-20% protien) morning and evening. With high hay prices in mind, I am toying with the idea of selling the two steers when they get a little bigger, and keeping the heifer for breeding next spring when she is big enough. The rancher I got them from said that the heifer is destined for the freezer due to being so far behind in developement. Finally, here is the question: What are your thoughts, does it make financial sence this year (or even on a normal year) to keep a bottle calf heifer for breeding? Am I better off feeding out what hay I have an sending all three to the sale barn?
Thanks!

[gone-a-milkin]

It sounds like your calves got off to a rough start.
They may catch up, but you will definitely put more into them to bring them up to weight than if they had been dam-raised.

You need to think really hard if this particular heifer is what you want to use as foundation stock to start your herd.
She may grow out fine, or she may always be sort of runty.

Consider that it costs the same amount to keep a robust well-grown cow as one that came up hard.
Consider what your own costs will be to keep her another year before you see a calf.
She may end up breeding fine and raising great calves for you, but *statistically* you arent starting from the premium place.
Smaller heifers have more birthing troubles (for one thing).
How come she wasn't raised by her mama? Is it a genetic thing?

I do understand wanting to use an animal that you already OWN rather than buying a new one.
$$$!!!


If the rancher you got them from is saying you should sell her, I would be tempted to believe him.
Grow all 3 up until you run out of feed, sell them, and get some nice healthy stock to start a herd with.

The cattle business is always a gamble.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[nod4eight]

I'm in a similar situation colo5ac. After a long discussion with the wife and thinking hard about it we have decided to sell them and use that $ to invest in what we really want rather than settling for what we have. These little guys are just too far behind to take a chance on them not catching up. It'll be a little more time and money but I think in the end we will be happier with our herd off healthy (healthier) foundation stock. Best of luck whatever you decide!

[Dreamfarm]

and make sure that heifer isnt a freemartin!

[colo5ac]

The heifer ended up as a bottle calf because the mother died. She had been a good mother, so I was hoping this was a cheap way to get into small scale cow/calf business. Everyone's advice so far on and off the forum has been to sell these critters and start with something healthier. I just hate looking to buy at the sale barn. It is like a used car lot, who knows what problem you are buying.

I suppose I will watch calf prices while keeping an eye on the hay stack, and time it just right. Calf prices might be higher this spring, so I might try to get them through the winter if we can squeeze in a third cutting.


Thanks for the good advice!

[SpaceCadet12364]

Some of the runtyness (especially when comparing them to similar aged calves you already have, and are with their moms) could be coming from the not-getting-momma-milk, but Im guessing milk replacer instead?

[colo5ac]

They never took to the bottle or bucket, so the rancher was sprinkling milk replacer over their sweet mix. 3rd cutting hit the ground last night, not a lot there, but we'll see how long it lasts. Then I will be asking how to pick a good breeder!