Author Topic: Cattle Wanted (Read 3458 times)

landyman · « **on:** November 07, 2010, 06:54:35 pm »

Hiya
I'm looking for 2 calves, around for end of March - April time.
If anyone does have anything i would very much like to hear.

Also looking for a livestock trailer, or something like this with four wheels that can be converted
Thanks

bigchicken · « **Reply #1 on:** November 24, 2010, 01:18:14 am »

Just an idea but what about going to your local livestock mart, Ive always found they have quite a choice

Rosemary · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2010, 08:17:38 am »

Don't buy calves through an auction mart. You'll be buying yourself a heap of trouble. Chances are they will have had no colostrum. I assume it's a couple of baby bull calves from the dairy herd you're looking for to fatten. Try your local dairy farmers they might have surplus bulls that they will sell you. You'll want a beef x dairy - raising bull beef is really for the specialist.

charlie · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2011, 09:04:41 pm »

Its very hard to fattin dairy cattle better with meat breed.

Rosemary · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2011, 09:01:47 am »

Pure dairy beef is probably for a specialist, but a dairy x beef calf would be OK. You're not likely to get baby calves from a beef suckler herd. You would get weaned beef calves at 6 months old though.

VSS · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2011, 11:26:44 am »

Agree. Go to a local dairy farm and see what they have got. Get a beef x dairy calf. Bull calves will always cost you more.

Nina · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2011, 07:58:38 pm »

Quote from: Rosemary on November 24, 2010, 08:17:38 am

Don't buy calves through an auction mart. You'll be buying yourself a heap of trouble. Chances are they will have had no colostrum.

Eek - That's harsh!!! We've bought thousands of baby calves through our local markets with no more trouble than the calves bought direct... Any problems are likely more related to the stress of markets and the exposure to bugs from other calves.

At least if you buy direct from local dairy farmer you'll perhaps have some support if you need any advice on rearing... Where in country are you?

Or alternatively there are increasing numbers of 'calf groups' around the country who supply rearers direct from farms or via collection centres, again, reducing the stress of being pushed aound a market...

Good luck!