Re: Raising young calves

Posted by LAA on November 06, 2013 at 10:24:30 from (37.131.65.185):

In Reply to: Raising young calves posted by picassomcp on November 06, 2013 at 08:05:20:

If you sell at 350 lbs. then you will be doing all the work and standing the expense and somebody else will be making the profit. You need to go at least to 600 lbs. and do as much of it on grass as possible, or hay and corn silage or hay and a little protein supplement when off the milk, corn feeding stocker cattle is a loser. If you find or know of a good dairy that properly starts their calves by maintaining a proper vaccination regimine on the cows and by making sure the calves get colostrum shortly after birth and they don't have a high incidence of disease at their facilities then you have a good chance of getting calves off to a good start, if you do your part diligently. One big reason that so many people lose money and have high death rates is because they are too lazy to properly care for the calves, it takes time and effort to do it right and you have to pay attention, anyone who thinks they are just going to run out and feed a a half mixed bottle twice a day and run back in to the TV or computer is fooling themselves. If you are retired and have plenty of time and the most important thing, want to do it then it is not that difficult. Healthy started calves hauled home in a disease free trailer and kept in well ventilated individual pens that are well bedded and limed in between occupants are not that hard to keep healthy, the number one killer of well started calves is over feeding milk replacer, you want your calves a little hungry and offer hay, water and starter feed from day 1, you don't need any fancy dollar a pound calf starter, some 16% dairy pellets or similar will do the trick. You will need to keep some antibiotic boluses, LA 200 and Micotil or equivalent on hand but the first thing to do with new calves is vaccinate against scours, enterotoxemia, blackleg and IBR/BVD -- any Vet can line you up on recomended vaccinations in your area.

Replies:

Add a Reply Name: E-Mail: Subject: Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Optional Video Title: Optional Video URL: Advanced Posting Options Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.   Advanced Posting Tools   Upload Photo  Select Gallery Photo  Attach Serial # List  Return to Post

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]