better luck with calves today lol

phillip d · Nov 20, 2009

Yesterday had a cow calve during milking ,had a bull,about 20 min later,pulled another bull out of another one.After milking,fed the dry cow 's to find another one calved,nother bull.After breakfast,the second one that we pulled the bull out of was having a second calve,it was a heiffer,which is a useless freemartin(for those who don't know already,a mixed set of twins results in a normal bull,and a heiffer who's missing some reproductive parts and won't produce a calf).So 4 dairy calves,none of the 4 any good for anything.Had a heiffer calve this evening and she had a heiffer.Enough with the bull calves lol.

TimMiller · Nov 20, 2009

We have the same problem all bulls, Out of 3 heiffers we have about 10 bulls

WCS · Nov 20, 2009

I assume these are Holstein bull calves you are talking about. What are bull calves selling for in your area, at 2 to 7 days old? I used to buy a few and raise them on the bottle, then on grass. What state are you in? Good luck with the calves, whatever you do with them.

phillip d · Nov 20, 2009

yup,they're holstein's.We live in PEI,it's on the east coast of Canada,just abit above Maine.If they are a GOOD calf,we get 50 bucks for them.We get them picked up on tuesday's.I like it when they are born monday and gone the next day lol.

phillip d · Nov 20, 2009

we had some much better luck the last few months though.It seems to be either all one or the other for long periods of time.Did you ever try sorted AI bulls?If you can get decent conception,I hear very positive results.Over 90 percent heiffer calves all the time.I always found if you're using a clean up bull,they usually have heiffer calves too.The bull gets them bred at standing,AI usually occurs about 12 hours after standing.They say the x's are faster than y's but die off much quicker.If conception time isn't quite there yet,the x's die off and when it's time to work,there are fewer of them resulting in more heiffer calves.But conception is higher 12 hours later,but the x's stand a better chance with AI.We are using some genomically tested sorted young bulls abit now,hoping it'll help so long as they catch.

gitrib · Nov 20, 2009

Used a cleanup Bull, got five bulls out of five calves. Cleanup bull is now hamburger.
gitrib

ChrisinMO · Nov 20, 2009

In southern MO, dairy bull calves go for different prices, depending on the time of year. In the fall the price usually tanks and they can be had for as little as $35-40. Earlier in the year they go for more, sometimes up to $80-90, though not often. Crossbred calves with some beef breed in them always go for more.

We buy some calves and use surplus goat milk to feed them. Two months ago, dairy heifers were going for just a little over $100. Good thing I had my wife with me at the auction or I might have gotten more than we have milk for!

Christopher

Tom in TN · Nov 21, 2009

Guys,

I have a relatively small black Angus cow/calf operation. I have exactly the opposite problem that you have. I want all of the bull calves I can get! I sell my calves at seven months of age. Although all of the prices I get for the calves is down, the price for heifer calves is REALLY down.

Good luck with your calving.

Tom in TN

phillip d · Nov 21, 2009

Holy frig,we usually only have luck with a clean up bull,especially if he's beef lol.

Bruce from Can. · Nov 21, 2009

Here in southeren Ontario holstien bulls will bring you from 5 to 100 dollars , and Jersey bulls are free to good home.

BlaineF · Nov 21, 2009

My dad had a cow have twin heifers so will they be O.K. to breed or they screwed up too? Just thought I'd ask you seem like you should know .Thanks

Mike (WA) · Nov 22, 2009

Twin heifers are fine. The problem with mixed twins is too much testosterone in utero- the heifer twin doesn't develope properly.

better luck with calves today lol

phillip d

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