advice about what calves to buy

Blue bull

Hi. I have some land available to me. I was thinking of buying some bull calves to put out on the land.maybe about 6-7 calves. I'm not looking for a quick return, so i can hold on to them for 2 years or so. Any advice on what type, age etc to go for. I did have calves a long time ago so a bit rusty. Also, i dont have a herd number yet. Is it much hassle to get a new one? Thanks for any advice.

dohc turbo2

Friend of mine buys whiteheads and pollys, they suite his ground and there a hardy little calf . He gets them off his neighbour a dairy farmer , and gets them handy and dose turn profit on them

_Brian

I'd second the HEx..
Hardy and good growers...

After that AAx but you'e need to know your supply as there are a large percentage of AAx runts being calved down on heifers and they are no value at all, it doesnt really show for a few months either but by that time your stuck with them..

Wouldn't look at continental cross calves as they are just mad prices and not as hardy as either of the above..

Timmaay

HEx making decent money at the sec also! But 2bh, and this is a sure sign they make a decent beef calf ha, I've just had too many problems calving them this year, mostly it's the head/neck that gets stuck. Back to mostly AA next year ha.

orm0nd

this time of year most likely would source FR bulls easier than most.
a good br fr type well looked for 2 years would leave as much profit as any (imo)

barnaman

Brian right about AAX alot look good as calves but not look as good as stores or finished. Use an AA bull myself and can make nice cattle but need a good judge of cattle with you when buying them. Also Ormong spot on about FR

Blue bull

Thanks for all the advice. I kind of had either angus or hereford bull calfs. Any idea what price for a calf would be and what they would sell for? Thanks again for the advice.

grange mac

_Brian wrote: »

I'd second the HEx..
Hardy and good growers...

After that AAx but you'e need to know your supply as there are a large percentage of AAx runts being calved down on heifers and they are no value at all, it doesnt really show for a few months either but by that time your stuck with them..

Wouldn't look at continental cross calves as they are just mad prices and not as hardy as either of the above..

Bought few Chx in Skibb mart last week 300kg 770 ....prices back 150 head from ones bought 2 months ago. Would have bought more only shed full now for winter. Just be careful not buying runts!! If unsure get some1 who can tell diff between dairy & suckler calf. Wont cost more than 10 head to buy on your behalf.

_Brian

grange mac wrote: »

Bought few Chx in Skibb mart last week 300kg 770 ....prices back 150 head from ones bought 2 months ago. Would have bought more only shed full now for winter. Just be careful not buying runts!! If unsure get some1 who can tell diff between dairy & suckler calf. Wont cost more than 10 head to buy on your behalf.

Yea.
We're buying small weanlings ourselves rather than sucks. Sucks were a good trade a few years ago but prices went beyond what I thought was good value.

blue5000

Agree with Brian and GM above, I'd be more inclined to buy runners, you say yourself that you are a bit 'rusty'.
Weaned fr bulls would be very close to the price of a WH suck bull I reckon. Check them out well for ill thrift/snotty noses, take someone to the mart to look at them with you if you like. Will it take long to re-activate your herd number?