we're cibsidering getting a Jersey bill for meat, and I am not interested in feeding him through the winter. I have a friend who has butchered her bill at around 8 mo the old before the winter. Does anyone know how much meat I could expect to put into the freezer from a bull of this age?
Depends if you feed him, or just let him eat grass, etc...
From live weight you lose a 1/3 to hanging weight; from hanging weight to butchered weight you lose about another 1/3. Soooo, dependent on what you start with will determine what you end up with.
Besides, Jersey's aren't known for being "big" animals to begin with....
Depends if you feed him, or just let him eat grass, etc...
From live weight you lose a 1/3 to hanging weight; from hanging weight to butchered weight you lose about another 1/3. Soooo, dependent on what you start with will determine what you end up with.
Besides, Jersey's aren't known for being "big" animals to begin with....
Sorry, but there is no way you are going to get 400lbs of useable meat from an 8 month Jersey anything - bull, steer or heifer. As Allen says, he would be lucky to weigh 400lbs on the hoof at 8 months. Do yourself a favour and spend your money wisely.
Lets see if'n I can do some backward math using your wanting 400 pounds of meat in the freezer and my rough figures......
400 lbs freezer meat is about 2/3 of hanging weight so the other 1/3 is 200 lbs which means hanging weight is roughly 600 lbs. This 600 lbs of hanging weight is 2/3 of live weight so 1/3 is roughly 300 lbs so live weight would be bout 900 pounds of live animal and there is no way in H--- you will get a cow, bull, steer at 8 months no matter the cattle breed...
Sorry.
Thanks, y'all. While I'm disappointed, I'm glad to have this info so I can make a good decision. Our main goal is milk anyway. We're going to go look at a Jersey cow who is due to calf in a month or so. I'm trying to collect as much information as I can. At one point though, we're just going to have to "jump in" and learn as we go.
Ok, so we located a cow that we love that is due to calf in a few weeks or sooner. I feel like I've done all the "research" and learning I can possibly do, and I have talked to a few friends who are experienced milkers. I feel almost like I did when we found out we were expecting our first child: so excited, but a bit terrified! Like, "Can I really do this?" My husband and I are taking a few days to pray, and consider if the timing is right. I think it really is. Still, I'm a bit excited/terrified. We'love see how this goes! Thanks for all the info!
There is some you can learn about ahead of time. You are miles ahead of most of us that learned by doing before google or youtube. Learn about milk fever. Read up on scours. Buy what you might need just to have it on hand. Read the sticky above on sale barn calves. A lot will pertain to you even though you had an on site calving.
Raising calves is a lot of "learn while doing", but too often results in a few dead calves.
If my cow has a calf, do I milk on all quarters for the morning milking? Or do I leave a quarter for the calf, since it will have been seperated from her all night.
We had the best yield with 12 week old Jersey Veal. Jersey beef is small. It is what it is.
We fed him excess milk from our cow. So no real cost. He was about 300 pounds and gave us nearly 100 pounds of freezer meat. I will never raise a Jersey steer full size again. Real yields are around 40% at best. If you feed them they get fat not meaty.
We had the best yield with 12 week old Jersey Veal. Jersey beef is small. It is what it is.
We fed him excess milk from our cow. So no real cost. He was about 300 pounds and gave us nearly 100 pounds of freezer meat. I will never raise a Jersey steer full size again. Real yields are around 40% at best. If you feed them they get fat not meaty.
So, if we don't want a ton of meat, it's worthwhile to butcher a young one. And I still wouldn't have to feed him through the wi tee. Thanks for the info. This is helpful!
Also, I'm using a fly spray made with apple cider vinegar and essential oils. (I don't use chemicals any time I can avoid them) Every time I spray Pepper with it, she licks it off of herself. Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm not using food grade essential oils, so I'm a little concerned.
Check with your ag extension agent for a recommendation or a local farmer's co-op for something formulated for your area, or even another farmer with a herd of cattle.
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