Looking at a calf today....questions

redgate · #1 06/02/13, 10:44 AM

We are going to look at a couple of calves today--our first--and I have a couple questions. We have been studying up and trying to prepare, and we are working with an excellent breeder of Dexter cows, however, he wasn't able to answer our questions. Here's the deal....

We are looking to raise a Dexter calf for slaughter next year for our beef. He has 2 culls available (cheaper, still good steers, but don't meet their criteria for breeders--seems perfect for us). We were planning to pay current market price. One steer is already a yearling, and has horns. I don't want horns, as we will be around this animal daily, and we have lots of young children. The other is around 8 weeks old, has not been castrated yet, but he is willing to have it castrated and dehorned before we pick up. In this case, the youngster has been dam raised, is not friendly, is not weaned (they don't usually seperate until just before the cattle sale in the early fall--calves are around 6 months). The breeder has never bottle raised, which is why he was unable to answer our questions. He knows us well, and offered to let us buy the calf, but send the cow along to continue nursing it (and eat our plentiful grass in the mean time), and then we would return her when the calf is weaned.

I had two thoughts I am considering, and would love your inputs:

First, although the cow is somewhat friendly, I am leery about having her here with my young children in the fields daily, in the event she felt she needed to defend her calf. Secondly, I wondered about the idea of taking only the calf, and bottle feeding for a while to tame it down. We want our steer to be friendly. He will actually be housed with our other animals, all of which are friendly, and we have tons of goat milk available to feed him.

What do you think? Should I go with the dam/calf option? Is there a downside to getting just the calf and bottle feeding? How difficult would training him to the bottle be as a roughly 8-week old? Any thoughts appreciated!

Thanks in advance!!

Ruralnurse · #2 06/02/13, 07:33 PM

I am sure you will get some folks with much more experience than I have, but I think it would be pretty tough to get an 8 week old calf that has been dam raised since birth to take a bottle.

And sometimes a bottle raised, tame large animal can be a bit more dangerous around people. They have no fear and walk right up and get in your business. They can hurt you not meaning to just by being so close and having no fear of you. Where as, if they are a bit afraid they have more of a healthy respect and keep the distance. Again not lots of experience and hope some others chime in.

Good luck,
Ruralnurse

SpaceCadet12364 · #3 06/02/13, 08:36 PM

We have both ones that are stand offish, and those that check your pockets for treats when you go out in the pasture. And ours have horns (highlands). If you keep your wits about you, You should be just fine. I have had my knuckles whack a few times. It happens and it hurts you learn fast a cow shakes her head move your hand quick. But we have two that are almost 13 years old can milk in the pasture, you can brush them.you can pet them and their new born calves they will watch. If the calf cries just step back and let mom check it out. Wait a little bit and you can pet it again. Mom will always do a better job of raising a calf than we can period. the older a calf is the harder it will be to break it to a bottle. at 8 weeks it would be almost impossible I would think but sometime they suprise the hell out of you.

redgate · #4 06/02/13, 09:18 PM

Thanks for the replies. It wound up a non-issue. There was a miscommunication between the breeder and his wife, and the calf was to be retained as a herd bull. Then I found out the milk cow breeder we have spent 2 years working with and talking to has decided to retain her calves as well. I'm totally bummed!

If you hear of anything, we are looking for 2 animals: a healthy, small-breed (ie dexter, lowline, or mini-beef type) cull calf to raise as beef for slaughter next year and a mini-jersey TYPE heifer that would be ready to breed this fall for a spring 2014 calf or an older mini-jersey type cow that is soon to freshen or has freshened and could be sold with calf at side. I'm just not set up this summer for the full deluge of milk. I need her calf to share with. I'm not too picky on breed or registration for the dairy cow, but am very picky in other areas: must have A2/A2, tested disease-free, healthy, with good udder and conformation, genetics for about 3-4 gallons/day, under 45 inches, no horns, and friendly/child-safe (or young enough to be trained as such). I also need it to be within 1/2 days drive of central IL. If you have anything, please message me. Thanks!

SpaceCadet12364 · #5 06/02/13, 10:08 PM

Have a lowline/angus cross heifer for sale. reg.

redgate · #6 06/02/13, 10:21 PM

I'm interested in more info. That be a bit of a drive for me, though, so price would definitely have to be right to make it worth while. Also, I don't really need registered for a the beef animal, and I'm doubting that cross would come close to the production we are seeking in a dairy animal. Can you offer any additional info? You can also pm me. Thanks!

SpaceCadet12364 · #7 06/03/13, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redgate

I'm interested in more info. That be a bit of a drive for me, though, so price would definitely have to be right to make it worth while. Also, I don't really need registered for a the beef animal, and I'm doubting that cross would come close to the production we are seeking in a dairy animal. Can you offer any additional info? You can also pm me. Thanks!

Momma is a reg. Angus ( Won several Blue ribbons when DD was in 4H). And sire is a reg. Full Blood Lowline. She is only 2 mos old right now. when she was born she may of weight 30 lbs. Here is a picture of mother and daughter.