How to Sell Calves to a Veal Farm

Most veal calves are bulls born on dairy farms. There are generally three ways to sell veal calves: through a community market, directly to a veal farm or to a commissioned buyer. The majority of veal calves are purchased at community auctions because it is easier for the dairy farmer to send them to market as they are born instead of making independent deals with veal farms or brokers.

Things You'll Need

  • Milk replacer
  • Hay
  • Calf Bottle
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Contact any local veal farms and inquire if they buy calves directly. If they do, ask about the price paid per pound and if they pick them up themselves. The advantage of dealing directly with a farm is that part of the profit does not go to a commissioned broker, and the price received will be more steady than the market. The veal farm may want to pick up a minimum number of calves at one time, however, which means a farmer may be raising calves himself until he has enough for a load, increasing his costs.

    • 2

      Inquire with area brokers concerning their terms. A broker can help put you in contact with veal farms looking for more calves and can manage the deal themselves. A broker, nonetheless, is generally not interested in dealing with small dairy farms that seek to sell bull calves because they want a minimum size order.

    • 3

      Contact the local beef markets in your area to obtain a license to send cattle to their weekly sale. Get in touch with a local cattle hauler to find one willing to take your calves to market.

    • 4

      Begin feeding the bull calves 1 pint of milk replacer with a bottle twice a day after they are born. Bed down the area where they are housed to prevent them from becoming sick.

    • 5

      Send the bull calves to the market after they are at least a week old, if you are not contracted with a veal farm or broker. Make sure the cavles are healthy, as you can lose your license sending in sick cattle. Call the hauler and ask him to bring it to the market. His commission will be taken out of the price received for the calf and given to him directly from the market office. You will receive a check in the mail several days later.