Advice on getting Started with Cattle

[Baymule]

I've had cows, but I no longer want to mess with an animal that big, plus 8 acres just isn't enough land for cows. Never raised shorthorns. I guess you can find out by feeding out some steers. Let us know how the steaks are!

Instead of keeping cows, you might be better off by raising steers for slaughter. Especially if you can get a good deal buying 4H rejects. Carry a batch off to slaughter, then bring in a new batch of steers.

 

[Pastor Dave]

CB, I'll be asking same things down the road, so once you get going...

 

[greybeard]

Instead of keeping cows, you might be better off by raising steers for slaughter

I agree. Start with a couple of steers. 2 that have been handled and definitely not culled because of docility issues. (aggression--It sometimes happens even with steers)
I've never raised any Shorthorn but it is a good choice from what I've seen of them as long as you select 2 that are on the beef side of the spectrum (today's shorthorns are a dual purpose breed for the most part--dairy and beef). I do raise Beefmasters, which are all 3/8 shorthorn)
While you're getting set up for this, Keep some things in mind. Goal!! To deliver a healthy high quality FINISHED carcass to your customer and to yourself. That's all you should be concerned with--period. I've read enough posts here at BYH to know too many people tend to fall into the "Oh he's so cute!" trap and choose animals based too much on that part of phenotype. You won't be eating the hide and pretty means nothing once the head and hide are on the processor's floor.

You aren't going to be a breeder, or a seedstock producer, or in a cow/calf operation--you are going to be a beef PRODUCER! Don't lose sight of that.
Raise and deliver a good product and it will sell itself.
Learn as much as you can in the interim about physical trait selection in regards to overall gain, daily rate of gain, yield and grade.
You want plenty of hindquarter, good length and thickness of the body. Don't select and try to feed a dink with bad genetics into a quality finished product. Grinders are a dime a dozen.
Learn what a balanced beef breed grower ration is and what a finish ration is and how to tell when the steer is finished and ready for the processor.

You can easily haul a big roundbale in the back of a F-150 or 1500 pickup--just have them place the bale in the bed so you can roll it out--I've done it lots of times in a base fleet version Silverado. You'll want to get 1 round bale feeder to minimize waste.

Rules and regulations. Not many, except for withdrawal periods on some medications prior to slaughter. Do NOT cheat on that part of it. Instructions are on the medications--follow them. I know some people don't follow the withdrawal period instructions, but that hurts all of us.

 

[CntryBoy777]

That is definitely what my focus is and I would like to improve the quality of the grass in the pasture so that the quality of the meat produced, is the best it can be without sending me to the poorhouse. Though, it isn't my intentions to skimp on quality feed. I have a bunch to learn in a fairly short period of time, but if it is worth doing...it is worth doing right. Are there any websites that would be good to start with, so I don't waste time sorting thru them all?

 

[Bossroo]

That is definitely what my focus is and I would like to improve the quality of the grass in the pasture so that the quality of the meat produced, is the best it can be without sending me to the poorhouse. Though, it isn't my intentions to skimp on quality feed. I have a bunch to learn in a fairly short period of time, but if it is worth doing...it is worth doing right. Are there any websites that would be good to start with, so I don't waste time sorting thru them all?

Since you have good pasture grasses, at least I hope you have good production grasses that yield quality TDN. Consult with your County and or your nearest Land Grant University Range Management People . Feed them grains as well as other supplements as well as necessary medications to produce USDA Choice carcasses. Good luck !

 

[Latestarter]

Great thread start Cntryboy! Reading and following for my own personal benefit as well.

 

[CntryBoy777]

I did run by the extension office today and picked up a soil sample box to send in soil to be analyzed...it will cost $8 and take 2-3wks. The receptionist was cordial and helpful, but if the other lady in the office was an agent, then I'm not very impressed....she acted like she never raised an animal and was very unfriendly to say the least. I did think of my Mom, tho....she would've asked her if someone "Starched your Drawers"?.....
So, we'll see just what there is to work with out there. It is raining right now, so looks like tomorrow before I will be able to get 15 Tblsp of soil for the test.

 

[cjc]

20 acres and no cows? What took you so long

I agree with @greybeard because I am one of those suckers he mentions that gets the cute ones and earns no money . We always have a few shorthorns in our herd. We sent the first one to slaughter last season and it was a great success in terms of quality. They also grow a lot bigger and faster than my Angus and they have a much better temperament. I bred a jersey/red angus to a shorthorn bull and her calf is 8 months old and already bigger than her. Beautiful looking calf.

We deal with a lot of rain here so we have to keep our round bales under cover and in a feeder. We couldn't drag ours like suggested we do need a tractor. Our cows are fine on pasture alone from May-October. We feed round bales the other months and I do feed grain all year round.

If you are just raising a few steer then you shouldn't need much in terms of handling equipment but we found pretty quickly we needed a cattle squeeze. We have to deworm our herd every year, it is very wet and can get decently hot where we are and mange and such is a real concern.

I don't know the laws where you are but where I am all livestock must have access to a shelter and water bucket.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Thanks! @cjc
We just received freedom with the land 2yrs ago, and have been working with getting some things situated. We really weren't planning on this being the next "Step", but mowing 4 fields gets to be a bit time consuming. Not to mention some meat in the freezers surely wouldn't hurt at all.
This just sorta "Mushroomed" on me pretty quickly, so we are trying to take advantage of an opportunity that has presented itself to us. We also have a pond on the property, so water shouldn't be a major issue, just fencing it off may be a bit of a challenge, but doable. It could be accessed from either field if rotational grazing is used, too.

 

[cjc]

Thanks! @cjc
We just received freedom with the land 2yrs ago, and have been working with getting some things situated. We really weren't planning on this being the next "Step", but mowing 4 fields gets to be a bit time consuming. Not to mention some meat in the freezers surely wouldn't hurt at all.
This just sorta "Mushroomed" on me pretty quickly, so we are trying to take advantage of an opportunity that has presented itself to us. We also have a pond on the property, so water shouldn't be a major issue, just fencing it off may be a bit of a challenge, but doable. It could be accessed from either field if rotational grazing is used, too.

Fencing can be a very big expense. We have a 6 acre property I just fenced off for cattle. I am going to move some of my girls out there to graze for the summer, cost me a fortune. I did 5 strand barbwire with fairly big posts for 5 acres. I just find if I use anything less than that they end up on the other side of the barbwire. The other acre I did in 4 board fencing with a lot of gates. You can never have enough gates and added two small pens in 4 board to gather them in.