Post by rd200 on Apr 16, 2018 10:02:58 GMT -5
So, not sure if this is the right place to put this since this question Involves multiple animals not just cows so feel free to move it if need be.
I can't decide which would be more valuable/economical/most bang for my buck, etc. Getting an extra calf to throw on my cow, or feeding the extra milk to the pigs. She peaked around 5 gallons as a heifer so this lactation I'd expect more milk. I calfshare already. I've been debating putting an extra calf on her when she freshens in May because I could use the beef, and then I don't need to milk her AS long if there are 2 calves to take it all. The less milking the better. However, I'd have to find a calf same day or next day she freshens which isn't always easy. Plus pay for another calf. Be concerned about bringing something else home to the farm on accident from the calf (disease). Plus it takes such a long time to finish them out grassfed.
Now, if I feed it to the pigs, they grow amazingly fast. And it cuts down on my feed costs a little bit also + they love it. they're done in 5 months so by August they'll be outta here. I already have the pigs so I'm not spending more $$. However, then I have to milk TAD for quite some time depending on how much she produces. And then OAD for quite some time also until the one calf can take it all. Not that I don't like milking, but the less work the better. I do have an Angus cross that's going to freshen too but I'm not expecting much milk from her so I think I'll just use hers for the house then.
Question #2- Ill have 25 new layers starting to lay late summer. Ill use some of those eggs for customers. But should have a dozen a day left over. What I'm wondering is if Its better to just feed them to my pigs instead of trying to find more egg customers? I'm sure I could find more people but by winter wouldn't have a big enuf supply for them all. But also, I kinda figure if I can produce it and Feed it back to my animals, I'm becoming more sustainable by not needing as much commercial feed. I'm leaning towards feeding them to the pigs hard boiled along with extra milk.
Anyone got any thoughts on these or anything to add??
I'm still on the fence between an extra calf and just using milk for the pigs. A foster can be a lot of work to get on the cow, but when it happens, then it's much less hassle day to day. Hmmm π€
I can't decide which would be more valuable/economical/most bang for my buck, etc. Getting an extra calf to throw on my cow, or feeding the extra milk to the pigs. She peaked around 5 gallons as a heifer so this lactation I'd expect more milk. I calfshare already. I've been debating putting an extra calf on her when she freshens in May because I could use the beef, and then I don't need to milk her AS long if there are 2 calves to take it all. The less milking the better. However, I'd have to find a calf same day or next day she freshens which isn't always easy. Plus pay for another calf. Be concerned about bringing something else home to the farm on accident from the calf (disease). Plus it takes such a long time to finish them out grassfed.
Now, if I feed it to the pigs, they grow amazingly fast. And it cuts down on my feed costs a little bit also + they love it. they're done in 5 months so by August they'll be outta here. I already have the pigs so I'm not spending more $$. However, then I have to milk TAD for quite some time depending on how much she produces. And then OAD for quite some time also until the one calf can take it all. Not that I don't like milking, but the less work the better. I do have an Angus cross that's going to freshen too but I'm not expecting much milk from her so I think I'll just use hers for the house then.
Question #2- Ill have 25 new layers starting to lay late summer. Ill use some of those eggs for customers. But should have a dozen a day left over. What I'm wondering is if Its better to just feed them to my pigs instead of trying to find more egg customers? I'm sure I could find more people but by winter wouldn't have a big enuf supply for them all. But also, I kinda figure if I can produce it and Feed it back to my animals, I'm becoming more sustainable by not needing as much commercial feed. I'm leaning towards feeding them to the pigs hard boiled along with extra milk.
Anyone got any thoughts on these or anything to add??
I'm still on the fence between an extra calf and just using milk for the pigs. A foster can be a lot of work to get on the cow, but when it happens, then it's much less hassle day to day. Hmmm π€