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SC Wisconsin | So I plan on starting milking on my own in the next 5 years. I currently have about 15 cows milking with another 20 youmgstock and dry cows. I raise all my calves whether they are bulls or heifers. Once they calve I take them to my uncle's farm where they milk 1000 cows and they stay there until dry, I house them while dry. I get a percentage of the milk check in our agreement. I am planning on milking 120 cows, so I have a good ways to go and was wondering what others thoughts were on buying newborns and raising them to build my herd slowly versus taking out a loan to buy springers when I do get ready to start. One guy I buy bull calves from is thinking about hanging it up next year so I thought about seeing if he would sell some heifers as well. My heifer lots only have a couple of them in each and could handle plenty more so room isn't an issue, and I have a lot of extra hay usually. I know they say buying them ready to calve is the cheapest route, but the less I have to borrow when I am ready to start the better. Has anyone grown their herd by buying calves and wish they would have gone the other route? Thanks | |
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Buying bred heifers vs newborns
