Post by nodakjersey on Aug 1, 2014 21:21:01 GMT -5
I currently have 2 calves on Jenny-the Jersey. She has done a splendid job of raising her own calf born 3-27 and a SimmAngus heifer born 2-17. I had initially intended to wean both calves and purchase two new babies to graft onto her. The calves are getting really tough on her udder and she is losing a bit of the condition I have worked so hard to put back on her. I believe the heat and flies are not helping the situation either!!
I have found 2 Holstein bull calves that could be delivered for the handsome sum of $900 for both including trucking. They are from the same guy I bought Jenny from last fall. I have looked all over for beef calves, but they are very rare and usually far away this time of year. Jenny tolerates the SimmAngus calf nursing her when her own nurses, otherwise she doesn't like her very much. I am certain that if I want to put 2 new calves on, she will need to be put in chute 2X day. The other thing is that I am going to be applying for a new job within the agency that I work for possibly within the next month. This new job would require 1 year of training that would have me traveling all over the state. DH doesn't have time to go out 2X a day and stand there to make her stand nicely for new babies.
My new game plan is to just wean the big SimmAngus heifer and leave her own on for a few more months.
Do you guys think Jenny's 4 month old bull calf should be able to keep her nursed down, so I don't need to worry about mastitis? I don't have time to milk 2x or even OAD right now. I haven't even milked on the weekends like normal because of working extra hard to get other "farm" work done in case I need to be gone for this job.
Thanks Everyone!