At what age should I sell a heifer? - Any ideas?

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:20 pm

Hello,

I am hoping to have several replies to this one to help us make a decision.

From now on we will have one or two surplus heifers per year and I am wondering what would be likely to be our best option. So I should like to know what the longer established Dexter owners find is the most sought after age - (I do notice a few adverts for in calf but maybe that isn't the norm.)

Should we offer them as weaned calves, maiden heifers, in - calf heifers, or simply put them in the freezer and have done with it! :;):

Stephanie

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:06 am

I have sold lots of heifers this year and all have gone for beef. They have been sold at ages between 10 and 14 months. 10-12 months seems to be the most popular (for bringing on for beef). For breeding stock I would have thought any age really up to say 18 months.

Louisa Gidney · Post by **Louisa Gidney** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:27 am

I sell my suplus heifers at about 7-8 months old in October, either at York rare breeds sale or privately through yellow ads paper. I have an established reputation at York now and my heifers are often bought by people wanting stock with show potential. I do make the efoort to halter train them, so they present well in the sale ring. Prices are generally slightly better than for older animals that may not have been handled or presented clean and tidy for sale. Often buyers are prepared to take on one young heifer when they might not want the over winter logistics of feeding a more mature animal in calf or with calf at foot.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:57 am

To be blunt Saffy they will be worth more dead than alive, (unless they are exeptional). Its your choice of course and there is a market for all ages of stock, halter trained will give a better return at any age.
If you decide to beef them, remember that they will turn to fat quicker than steers so start looking to kill them from 18 months onwards.

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:00 pm

Don't worry about blunt Martin - blunt is good. I wanted honest views and from as many different perspectives as possible.

Thanks Louisa and Clive - different but interesting points!

The replies haven't really changed my decision but made it easier to make. Which is - to be very selective indeed about what I keep as breeding stock because I can see how easy it is to end up with too many and I want to be able to keep a special one when it comes along. I shall aim to halter train any that I want to sell as breeding stock and to beef all heifers that don't look exceptional and also have what I consider to be the right bloodlines.

Thanks again for taking the trouble to reply.

Stephanie