The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: waterbuffalofarmer on January 06, 2017, 01:32:22 pm

Title: Time wasters, again!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on January 06, 2017, 01:32:22 pm
I have had these 2 heifers reserved for a lady for 2 months now and every time she makes a new excuse, so today I gave her the ultimatum, if she doesn't collect today as arranged I am offering them to someone else. Thankfully I have 2 people who are interested, but in case that goes south would anyone on here like them? One of them is in calf, calving in June, the other isn't, but can be AI'd. They are both very easy to handle and are halter trained. They were TB tested clear and only have 1 week left to go on their test, before it runs out. Anyone who is interested is welcome to come and see them in their working clothes. Just drop me a PM and we can arrange something! :)
Hope everyone has a good year
Cheers!
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: farmershort on January 06, 2017, 02:18:26 pm
I do wish you'd stop tempting me with buffalo! ;)

I decided years ago that I don't do cows.... they fight back! and I've got the chunks of bone missing from my shin to prove it. I once spent a few weeks loading and moving cows & calves for a farmer.... never again... those little buggers are the worst.

That said, the idea of a house-cow for milk & cheese does keep coming up, but I think we're still on for trying it with a couple of goats initially.... much more sheep-like in terms of handling.

I hope the other interested parties come through for you.
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: Penninehillbilly on January 26, 2017, 02:16:44 am
I have been left with a billy because of a stupid time waster via online, like yours, kept making excuses. He's going for meat as soon as I get OH empties van.
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: Womble on January 26, 2017, 05:26:22 pm
I now ask for a deposit up front. Serious buyers don't mind paying it, whilst non-serious buyers aren't of interest to me in any case.
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: Penninehillbilly on January 27, 2017, 10:19:56 am
My boy gone today, meat man offered £40 for him, I could have got twice that. He's coming home to freezer. I'll be bleating soon, eating all this goatmeat:-).
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on January 27, 2017, 12:05:46 pm
I now ask for a deposit up front. Serious buyers don't mind paying it, whilst non-serious buyers aren't of interest to me in any case.
Yes that is very good :) I managed to sell them to another buffalo friend who is increasing her herd, so at least Ik they are going to a good home. People who mess you about you often wonder whether they should be buying them anyway... I know now what I am looking for in buyers.
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on January 27, 2017, 12:06:57 pm
My boy gone today, meat man offered £40 for him, I could have got twice that. He's coming home to freezer. I'll be bleating soon, eating all this goatmeat:-).
Terrible eh?! I hate how people keep trying to get animals for nothing, it makes me sick.... :rant: Well you know where I am if you want to sell any meat :)
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: farmers wife on January 27, 2017, 05:00:45 pm
never had an issue with animal sales but when I had livery I had so many time wasters.  Agree ask them for BACS transfer non refundable (unless there is a health issue) most genuine people would be fine with this. Anything over £100 should sort out the wannas from the genuines.


Also when someone agrees to buy I would expect them to collect within a few weeks usually subject to TB test. Again genuine people set a date on shaking hand.


You have to be more of a business person and set it up.  You cant afford to have people messing you around it is a business you run. Everyday they are on your farm they are costing you money.  As my husband says we are surrounded by idiots.
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: harmony on January 27, 2017, 05:44:41 pm
Agree with Farmers Wife that deposits are a must. I would even say remainder before collection or cash on the day so you don't get caught with a deposit but then the next cheque bounces.
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: pharnorth on January 27, 2017, 06:21:02 pm
Completely agree regarding deposits.  And I make it clear if I can't provide the animal on the agreed day it is refundable but it is not refundable should they no show/ change their mind or dither over collection dates beyond the agreed window.  As Farmers wife says it's important to agree a date for the handover, although in some cases when buying or selling for me it's been more along the lines of 'after the tup has been in' or 'when the lambs move onto the summer grazing.  But I always agree a 'no later than' date.
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 28, 2017, 02:53:37 pm
I've not had a problem with this but I do make a point of having a fairly long telephone conversation when they first make contact and say they're welcome to take a look at the flock/herd with no obligation to buy.  Once they're on the farm I get a good opportunity to sound them out and have been known, in the case of someone new to keeping that class of stock, for example, to very politely suggest they need to do some reading, go on a course, get their land properly fenced, or whatever else I consider necessary to make sure my stock is going to have (almost) as good a life at its new home. 
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on January 28, 2017, 08:16:27 pm
I do wish you'd stop tempting me with buffalo! ;)

I decided years ago that I don't do cows.... they fight back! and I've got the chunks of bone missing from my shin to prove it. I once spent a few weeks loading and moving cows & calves for a farmer.... never again... those little buggers are the worst.

That said, the idea of a house-cow for milk & cheese does keep coming up, but I think we're still on for trying it with a couple of goats initially.... much more sheep-like in terms of handling.

I hope the other interested parties come through for you.
I am not sure whether this would interest you? [member=7747]farmershort[/member]  but I should have 2 in calf buffalo cows, in calf to a good milking bull, for sale in march-April. They're both very good milkers, have excellent temperaments and are excellent Calver's and mother's :) I will let you know closer to the time if they're of interest to you?
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: Penninehillbilly on January 30, 2017, 05:22:21 pm
My boy gone today, meat man offered £40 for him, I could have got twice that. He's coming home to freezer. I'll be bleating soon, eating all this goatmeat:-).
I am SO cross, went up today to check when to collect him, he's gone!
Manager said he questioned boss when boss said it was sold, because manager  knows I collect, but boss insisted it was his to sell >:(.  Looks like best I can hope for is free kill and cut of the tup I took in.
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on January 31, 2017, 09:45:10 am
My boy gone today, meat man offered £40 for him, I could have got twice that. He's coming home to freezer. I'll be bleating soon, eating all this goatmeat:-).
I am SO cross, went up today to check when to collect him, he's gone!
Manager said he questioned boss when boss said it was sold, because manager  knows I collect, but boss insisted it was his to sell >:(.  Looks like best I can hope for is free kill and cut of the tup I took in.
Can I ask how this is possible? I don't understand, can you elaborate please?  [member=22672]penninehillbilly[/member]    ??? Surely it is against the law to do that...
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: farmershort on January 31, 2017, 10:26:34 am
I do wish you'd stop tempting me with buffalo! ;)

I decided years ago that I don't do cows.... they fight back! and I've got the chunks of bone missing from my shin to prove it. I once spent a few weeks loading and moving cows & calves for a farmer.... never again... those little buggers are the worst.

That said, the idea of a house-cow for milk & cheese does keep coming up, but I think we're still on for trying it with a couple of goats initially.... much more sheep-like in terms of handling.

I hope the other interested parties come through for you.
I am not sure whether this would interest you? [member=7747]farmershort[/member]  but I should have 2 in calf buffalo cows, in calf to a good milking bull, for sale in march-April. They're both very good milkers, have excellent temperaments and are excellent Calver's and mother's :) I will let you know closer to the time if they're of interest to you?

Hi WBF - thanks for the thought and the offer.... I fear I know what would happen to me though, if I came home with them!

We'll stick to the goat plan for now, and see how much milk we're getting through over the next year or two.

Good luck with them though. I keep seeing your stuff on Facebook and hoping the sales go well.... there's so many non-commital folk on FB.... it's a bit too easy for them to say yes with no ability to back it up.
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: big soft moose on January 31, 2017, 10:55:42 pm
I am not sure whether this would interest you? [member=7747]farmershort[/member]  but I should have 2 in calf buffalo cows, in calf to a good milking bull, for sale in march-April. They're both very good milkers, have excellent temperaments and are excellent Calver's and mother's :) I will let you know closer to the time if they're of interest to you?

OT what sort of size are the buffalo, in terms of comparable breed of cow ?

Not being one to waste time i'd clarify that i'm not in a position to buy yet - my landlord has said yes to chickens and is softening on a couple of pigs, but because i live on a dairy farm bringing in bovines is out of the question.

However I'm working on getting land of my own and at that point i'd definitely be interested - but the wife hears the word 'buffalo' and immediately thinks of those colossal things you find on the north american prairie .
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: Penninehillbilly on January 31, 2017, 11:42:17 pm
My boy gone today, meat man offered £40 for him, I could have got twice that. He's coming home to freezer. I'll be bleating soon, eating all this goatmeat:-).
I am SO cross, went up today to check when to collect him, he's gone!
Manager said he questioned boss when boss said it was sold, because manager  knows I collect, but boss insisted it was his to sell >:( .  Looks like best I can hope for is free kill and cut of the tup I took in.
Can I ask how this is possible? I don't understand, can you elaborate please?  [member=22672]penninehillbilly[/member]    ??? Surely it is against the law to do that...
I took a tup and billy in, he offered me £40 for bill, I said 60 or he goes home to freezer, then he offered me £50 for tup, I said maybe but Id have a word with husband, and get back to him. didn't managed to get back to him, so didn't think they'd work weekends, went up Monday, bill gone, big tup hanging in chiller. I think the best I can hope for is the £40 + tup butchering free.
I was still cross when I wrote previous, picked tablet up as soon as I walked in house and dashed that off, perhaps not clear about £40, but I def. said £40 wasn't enough!
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on February 02, 2017, 09:42:25 am
I am not sure whether this would interest you? [member=7747]farmershort[/member]  but I should have 2 in calf buffalo cows, in calf to a good milking bull, for sale in march-April. They're both very good milkers, have excellent temperaments and are excellent Calver's and mother's :) I will let you know closer to the time if they're of interest to you?

OT what sort of size are the buffalo, in terms of comparable breed of cow ?

Not being one to waste time i'd clarify that i'm not in a position to buy yet - my landlord has said yes to chickens and is softening on a couple of pigs, but because i live on a dairy farm bringing in bovines is out of the question.

However I'm working on getting land of my own and at that point i'd definitely be interested - but the wife hears the word 'buffalo' and immediately thinks of those colossal things you find on the north american prairie .
They can vary in size really. We have some largish ones and others smaller, these two are a bit smaller than a Holstein, similar size to a nice sized Jersey. They are quite strong animals, although provided you establish the pecking order they won't tend to test you.they are very placid and relaxed creatures, lovely caring animals and do enjoy a nice cuddle and scratch. Very good with routine and always come to a bucket. Buffalo don't mix with cattle, or rather we have found ours haven't, although if they grew up together it might be different, as buffalo are not bovine, although they come under the category bovine... Their Latin name is bubalis, bubalis. Whereas cattle is bos Taurus. They have different dna to cattle, so they cannot breed with them, although strangely enough they can breed with cape buffalo :D  if you like you can befriend me on FB, under Eirene Aitkenhead. I have loads of info and pics on there plus I have a lot of famous buffalo keepers as friends too, so you would be welcome to rack our brains ;) [member=165443]big soft moose[/member]
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: big soft moose on February 02, 2017, 10:50:11 pm
Thanks for the info will do ... as they aren't bovine are they still subject to the TB testing rigmarole ?

Also while i'm assuming they are principally for dairy, as i guess you'll get male calves from time to time are they any good for beef ?
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on February 03, 2017, 09:19:49 am
Thanks for the info will do ... as they aren't bovine are they still subject to the TB testing rigmarole ?

Also while i'm assuming they are principally for dairy, as i guess you'll get male calves from time to time are they any good for beef ?
Yes they're under bovine TB testing law, as they can still catch TB, although we have never had it in the herd as of yet. Yes any male calves are reared for meat, generally slaughtered around 18-20 months, as they are a slower growing animal to cattle. Their meat is fantastic, although needs to be cooked more gently than beef, as it can toughen easily. Their meat is low in cholesterol and high in vitamins.
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: big soft moose on February 27, 2017, 07:02:37 pm
Just to add to this, i had a water buffalo burger at our local farmshop and tearoom -to die for-  i'm convinced, now i just need to persuade the other half  (who has a tendency to picture north american buffalo in size and temperament)
Title: Re: Time wasters, again!
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on February 28, 2017, 09:18:15 am
Just to add to this, i had a water buffalo burger at our local farmshop and tearoom -to die for-  i'm convinced, now i just need to persuade the other half  (who has a tendency to picture north american buffalo in size and temperament)
Well [member=165443]big soft moose[/member] if you visit my twitter page Tammy puddleduck  there is a lot on there about water buffalo, or join my group on FB waterbuffalofarmer  and I can add you as friend, there is a lot of info about them there. Feel free to ask me any question and I will answer best I can :)