The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: Lilljoho on January 02, 2018, 09:22:44 pm
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Hi
How much roughly would a 13year old Hereford cross cow be worth. She's potentially in calf and tame enough for a house cow?
Unsure how much to offer.
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Possible slightly more than cull price but at 13 she’s probably coming to the end of her breeding life and as she gets older, risk gets bigger and productivity reduces. Even if she delivers her calf safely at that age she may have reduced milk yield, trouble holding condition and struggle to get back in calf again.
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Unless she's guaranteed in-calf, not a lot.
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At 13 she is quite old .. do I understand you are buying not selling? .. you might be lucky to get 2 or 3 years out of her .... or she could cost you a lot (check cost of having dead cow removed) I would pass unless she is definitely in calf and being given away.
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very little really a cull cow. In calf offer a hundred and free haulage. You'll prob need to take it to market next year so allow for that. I would be very careful as if the cow needs to be shot on farm you'll get no money back. Not something I would even consider and be careful if the farmer is trying to get rid quick. 13 is the last calf I wouldn't push a beast past this due to the risk. A calf will drag her down at this age.
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I agree she's not worth a lot, but I wouldn't necessarily write a cow off for breeding at 14 years old. I've had perfectly healthy suckler cows breeding up to 18 years old, and then living happily to 21 or so. The secret is to keep them in good condition as once they start to lose weight you are unlikely to get it put on again.