melton mowbray - buying cattle

clacko · Post by **clacko** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:06 pm

hi could anyone advise me on how much i would be looking to spend on a cow and heifer calf and a cow and steer calf as we are going to melton with the veiw to buy our first dexters

Pennielea · Post by **Pennielea** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:57 pm

That is atricky one to answer and remember the sellers are watching this site too. If you go to the cattle for sale section on this website you will see the asking price for cows with calves at foot. The prices being asked are typical.

Ian

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:24 pm

Having been a buyer, seller and inspector at several of these sales and Stoneleigh before Melton, I would advise as much homework as possible before you go.

If possible narrow down what you are looking for - black, red dun, or colour may not matter.
Horned, dehorned or polled, again that may not be too critical.
Bulldog carrier or non carrier.
Show type or just a well made animal which will be a good house cow, suckler or whatever you want.
There will usually be a wide variation in standard of animal presented, though the ones with serious faults should be taken out of the main sale by the breed society inspectors. Remember that the show before the sale is just that - a show of animals for sale, they are not necessarily going to win a show just because they get a ticket at a show and sale. Some may have showing records, but many will not. However there will be good quality there. Look closely at those that interest you, speak to the seller, most are or should be keen to talk to potential buyers. If you are new to cattle keeping do not be afraid of asking basic questions - many first time dexter owners are first time cattle keepers, and most dexter folk will be happy to help - many of them were novices once themselves.

Finally have a budget, and don't get drawn into a bidding battle for an individual unless there is something really special about it - it only takes two people doing that to get a very high price for a not particulary outstanding animal. If you do not get what you want at Melton there are other sales, there are lots for sale privately, and you will have had a very useful couple of days amongst Dexter Cattle and Dexter Breeders.
Enjoy the weekend.

Duncan

Pennielea · Post by **Pennielea** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 12:04 am

Also use the info. in your catalogue. The older cow will tend to be cheaper than the younger. One with a heifer calf at foot will be dearer than with a steer calf. Look for a regular breeding record with a calf per year from around two years of age and finally for a new owner a Guarantee that she is in calf again unless you want to buy a bull as well!! This will again tend to up the price but is cheap in the long run

Ian

clacko · Post by **clacko** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 10:09 am

thanks, i am used to buying at auction and genrely speaking i don't get drawn to buying somthing i have set a top line on, i used to work on a dairy farm with friesans and help with calving hiefers and working with young stock, but that was 20 years ago, still have a basic back ground knowledge but have lost touch with how things have moved on.
i didn't know what a average registerd cow 3rd/4th calfer with either a hiefer or steer at foot would fetch, then if i knew this i could then adjust figures for a better beest or one not up to grade.
what i am looking for idealy is a couple of younger cows with calves at foot 1 hiefer and 1 steer to start with. then if all goes well to increase from there, i wouldn't shy away from in calf cows or hiefers but the later would probably be at a premium, thanks anyway and great site when i am able to log on

Ted Neal · Post by **Ted Neal** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:32 pm

Have just received my catalogue (I am selling at Melton) and it appears that anyone who entered by the traditional hard copy entry form way has not had their "notes" transferred into the catalogue. This is crazy as it does not give potential buyers any information about the individual animals. Black mark for Melton Mowbray Livestock Auction

natmadaboutdexters · Post by **natmadaboutdexters** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:18 pm

I have had a problem with the online entries. I typed in the details of two cows and then decided to delete them from the screen and they duly disappeared. I then sent off my form with only two entries on it and only payment for two but upon reading the catalogue, all four animals are entered. I have since telephoned Melton to explain that two of them will not be coming.

Natasha ???