Anyone in NC(near Fayetteville) cow savvy?

[Wolf-Kim]

A gentleman contacted me about a Jersey cow and I need someone who is savvy to help me out. I've been told to test for at least three things(have the list somewhere) but I just want someone savvy to maybe go with me to see the cow.

Just thought I'd throw it out there. I appreciate it.

-Kim

 

[Beekissed]

Let us know how it all goes! One of the tests I think is for Johnes Disease. TB would probably be another? And maybe Brucellosis?

Not sure, Kim. I didn't do any testing, just ran out and bought a skinny, wormy, mangey looking ol' gal and brought her home!

 

[FarmerChick]

all our cattle came from auctions.

just if they looked fine, we bought them.......and mostly healthy stock goes thru our local auction.

of course some we bred ourselves so we know those cattle.

I never bought cattle from a seller or farm. Always an auction.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

all our cattle came from auctions.

just if they looked fine, we bought them.......and mostly healthy stock goes thru our local auction.

of course some we bred ourselves so we know those cattle.

I never bought cattle from a seller or farm. Always an auction.

What do you think the chances of my finding a young docile family milk cow type cow at an auction? Do you have a round about estimate at what Jersey's go for? I've trained horses before, and I don't see training a cow to tie and milk being "too too" bad, or am I wayyyy off?

 

[FarmerChick]

Not sure.

I never purchased a dairy cow thru an auction. I just buy milk still...

My friend Barb runs an operating dairy. But of course she machine milks, doesn't use the old pail and hand.

You would have to be sure that cow is giving milk when you buy, or you will have to breed her and have a calf in order to get that milk supply happening.

Do you have a little sale paper called IWANNA? The IWANNA has tons of livestock for sale....that way you could go see the cow and give it a hand test drive for milking. I would think there would be tons of milk cows for sale in that paper. You can go online also.....www.IWANNA.com
I know it does Piedmont area, my area and one other (maybe the mt. area?) can't remember. I am not sure if it is near you or not that paper.

you can easily get an estimate in the IWANNA. Just go online and look up livestock, cattle and boom, tons of prices to get an idea of what to pay.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Oh ok. Thank you. I'll take a look at that site. I appreciate it.

-Kim

 

[FarmerChick]

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geuseIh...t4col/EXP=1257560328/**http://www.iwanna.com/



It will give you a great idea of prices in the area on all animals.

 

[Beekissed]

all our cattle came from auctions.

just if they looked fine, we bought them.......and mostly healthy stock goes thru our local auction.

of course some we bred ourselves so we know those cattle.

I never bought cattle from a seller or farm. Always an auction.

What do you think the chances of my finding a young docile family milk cow type cow at an auction? Do you have a round about estimate at what Jersey's go for? I've trained horses before, and I don't see training a cow to tie and milk being "too too" bad, or am I wayyyy off?

Kim, it's not likely you will find a good, young milk cow at auction and, if you do, the bidding will go quite high and you won't have a good history on her.

Best to buy from a farm and get a milk record or at least some type of breeding or life history on it. Depending on where you live, a good, young milk cow can be anywhere from $600-$1800, or more if show or production lines.

Depending on the temperament of the breed or individual cow, it can either be very easy to train them or they will never be easy. Best to buy one that is a proven milker that is docile enough to hand milk. Have them demonstrate this for you and then you give it a try while you are there. A good cow milk cow shouldn't shy away when you touch her body or udder, nor should she kick at you for palpating her udder.

It would probably be a great thing to find an old dairy guy in your area to kind of go with you and check her out. If not, you could just do a lot of research and then wing it, like I did!

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Thanks everyone.