Hey Springvalley!!!

nduetime · #1 01/04/13, 12:39 PM

Hi Marc!
Say, I am just wondering if you could give me your opinion on something I am considering. BurgerII is almost 8 mos now and because of the hay shortage I am thinking about the possibility of putting him in a stall for a month with some extra hay and feed and getting him butchered early. here is a today pic of him next to Mom who will be three in April. She is on the smaller side but a full Jersey as is he. the posts are about 4 foot. What do you think? Am I wasting him and the processing fees by jumping the gun? Thanks Trish

nduetime · #2 01/04/13, 12:44 PM

Btw: it is just Hubby and i so we do not need a ton of red meat. Just like to grow our own and know what is in there. Taste better too.

bigmudder77 · #3 01/04/13, 03:13 PM

8 months old he looks pretty good size or the mom is really really small or the picture is different than in person

Id do what your thinking putting him in a pen will help him from burning off fat from walking around and keeping warm but that's what it is is fat so he will fatten up

nduetime · #4 01/04/13, 07:48 PM

Mom is only going on three but he is really a good size boy. he eats good too! Nursed until just recently. Mom FINALLY kicked him off. He has a great appetite and they get good hay/alfalfa mix. Plenty of fresh fruit and veges from the grandkids probably twice a week or so as well. Apples,carrots, squash,bread, whatever they want to feed him he will eat...he is not a steer he is a pig! lol

springvalley · #5 01/04/13, 10:43 PM

Well I think he looks darn good, be some mighty fine eatin for sure. I wouldn`t worry about penning, he will be just fine with what your doing. You will get several hundred pounds of very good meat off this animal,I say just keep him happy till the butcher date, then enjoy. And just think some people think jersey meat isn`t worth eatin, I say to them, eat something else, send us your jersey`s. > Thanks Marc
PS Trish , good job

nduetime · #6 01/05/13, 01:23 AM

Thanks Marc! I was kind of hoping I was not off on my thought that he looked pretty darn good for his age. I wanted your thoughts before approaching the hubby about early butchering. We are ok on hay but just ok. This guy here probably eats at least enough for 1 1/2 horses and I do not really see that as a necessary expense. We do not need to get him that big for just us. Hate to see him go...he is a sweetie but that is his lot in life. I totally agree with you about the jersey meat too, if they have not tried it they do not know what they are talking about. Great eats!

cathleenc · #7 01/05/13, 12:48 PM

Jersey meat is my favorite beef by far! I won't buy anything that isn't at least half Jersey anymore.

He does look great.

MullersLaneFarm · #8 01/23/13, 08:13 PM

Agree totally with cathleen & Marc.

Send him on to butcher now ... it is just you and Dave so you'll have plenty of good meat!

If you're really feeling ambitious, ask the butcher if he'll split the leg bones after taking the meat off so you can roast them, then simmer them down for some wonderful broth!

Jersey meat is, by far, the BEST beef I've ever eaten. It has a naturally yellowed muscle fat, so it isn't so pretty in the beef cases at the grocery store.