grassfarmer: Yes you probably are benifiting if you keep them...or at least managing your risk, maybe like an insurance policy?
I usually sell about half my calves in the fall...if the price is right! These cattle make me the most money...or so I believe.
The others I leave right on the cow into January or later. The smart cows boot them off fairly early but some younger cows are not too bright and keep feeding them.
I feed fairly tough in that I try to do it cheap and straw is a really big part of my winter feed. But then I get straw for the cost of baling and hauling so it costs me very little. One of the little benifits of having crop land?
Now I don't think my system would be endorsed by any of the experts, but the fact is it works for me. I don't think I've had a sick calf in a long time and I limit my vet expenses to what I might need. I believe that included a bottle of liquimiacin LA last year that has one shot taken out of it, two magnets this year, and blackleg and IBR vaccine. Don't ever call the vet anymore as I have no need too.
I often wonder why people would want to give Pfizer $14 or whatever the cost of that program is? I suppose if they think they are getting good value(read that as a profit) then it makes sense?
At one time the rage was all about Ivomec and growth hormones? I used Ivomec one time and as far as I was concerned I just wasted the $800! Now hormones without a doubt give you something...just not sure if it is worth the hassle?
I am a firm believer in a penny saved is a penny earned and I try to keep ALL my costs low, where possible! I don't think I'm quite up to CsWilsons concept of going to horses...little too raw for me...but I only spend money where I can see a profit. I don't see a profit putting a lot of unecessary drugs into my cattle. Just my opinion.
I usually sell about half my calves in the fall...if the price is right! These cattle make me the most money...or so I believe.
The others I leave right on the cow into January or later. The smart cows boot them off fairly early but some younger cows are not too bright and keep feeding them.
I feed fairly tough in that I try to do it cheap and straw is a really big part of my winter feed. But then I get straw for the cost of baling and hauling so it costs me very little. One of the little benifits of having crop land?
Now I don't think my system would be endorsed by any of the experts, but the fact is it works for me. I don't think I've had a sick calf in a long time and I limit my vet expenses to what I might need. I believe that included a bottle of liquimiacin LA last year that has one shot taken out of it, two magnets this year, and blackleg and IBR vaccine. Don't ever call the vet anymore as I have no need too.
I often wonder why people would want to give Pfizer $14 or whatever the cost of that program is? I suppose if they think they are getting good value(read that as a profit) then it makes sense?
At one time the rage was all about Ivomec and growth hormones? I used Ivomec one time and as far as I was concerned I just wasted the $800! Now hormones without a doubt give you something...just not sure if it is worth the hassle?
I am a firm believer in a penny saved is a penny earned and I try to keep ALL my costs low, where possible! I don't think I'm quite up to CsWilsons concept of going to horses...little too raw for me...but I only spend money where I can see a profit. I don't see a profit putting a lot of unecessary drugs into my cattle. Just my opinion.
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