Jody and I himmed and hawed about getting a cow again this year. It was tempting to think of not hauling hay and water all winter yet again.But, then we looked in the freezer and saw the dwindling supply of beef and realised it is well worth the effort.
I thought maybe I had kinda missed the boat as we are looking at the end of June and I usually get a calf by May.
Soooo- on Thursday, I made a call to Goods Cattle Co. They are the middle man between the local farmers and the big beef growers in the south. I heard that they sometimes have left over calves and local folks can get them.
Well that is the deal. I made the call and Vayda and I swung over and picked out a little red head cutie. Our first cow was a black jersey cross and the second is a black and white Holstein. This is our first little red guy. He is also the biggest one.
Upon our return Vayda, Ben, and I spent 2 hrs in the rain and thunder....and lightning....building a tent and pen for him. I didnt exactly plan ahead. Once he was tucked in bed all was well. He is healthy and spunky.
#'s..... Our first cow was $53 counting gas to and from (he was scrawny though), the second was $65 and this one was $71 (he is big AND I didnt have to drive an hr + to get him).
We saved our left over milk replacer so thats starting him out of the cheap. I wont be keeping track of all the calf starter, grain and hay that goes into him over the next 18 mo. That with the butcher price still comes in under the cost of grass fed beef (he will be finished on grass alone) at about $6 per lb. The quality of the beef is outstanding! And- its so nice to have 200 lbs of hamburg, a hill o steaks + roasts etc etc etc in the freezer.
Back to the cuteness.....I forgot how nice it is to have a baby on the home stead. Hes sweet with his red head and freckled pink nose. :)
