raising, best breed, age etc etc etc etc

[manybirds]

So we would like to get a beef to market off at our local fair next year. What age do you slaughter at? Whats a good price to get one at? Would it be better to bottle raise a calf or to get a weened one? Where should I get it? I know auctions arn't a good place to get animals but since there so cheep maybe? I presume steers are best? How much to feed a beef a day? What breed? it would be nice to have something other than the bunches of solid black angus cattle there so preferably not them. I want something that's got a good personality as it will be handled much and will nead to behave. I'm probably forgetting something so if you want to mention anything else that would be good too.

 

[manybirds]

anyone?

 

[manybirds]

I'm dying for an answer

 

[herfrds]

Most say to slaughter less then 30 months of age. Like 24 months. Some say less then that it just depends what you are looking for. Our current butcher steer will be 31 months old when he is butchered in October, but that is just us.

As for price talk to the breeder. We normally sell ours for market price. Just an example we sell our steers in the auction ring weight is 550# we get
$1.10 a pound for them. we have steer at home that weights between 545# and 555# we would sell him for that $1.10 a pound.

get a weaned one. Less fuss and trouble.

As for the sale ring find out if there is any background on the animals. we provide birthdate and vaccines used and dates plus pour on info. Some guys will not provide that info.

steers or heifers. Some will spay their heifers for better gain and so they do not have to deal with them cycling. We like our steers.

Depends upon how you want to finish them. We feed ours grass hay, alafafa hay, barley hay (no beards) and ground barley. I am special feeding our butcher steer right now. He is getting a cob mix with molasses. the cob has corn, barley and oats in it. He is also getting ground barley and soy bean meal. He's with my milk cow so they are getting fed together at night.

 

[herfrds]

I forgot I like our Herefords for their temperment. We ship the bad tempered ones. I know Royd will be stepping in here with his Galloways shortly. We tried cross breeding with a black angus one year, he got a nasty attitude and we shipped him.

 

[manybirds]

Okay thanks! I figured you'de market at 1-1/12 years old though. So for raising 1-2 for market would it be worth it? I've always liked cows and we've had every animal under the sun so cows should be fun. gotta go! any others out there?

 

[herfrds]

It should be worth it. It also depends upon the cost to process the steers too.

we just sold a steer last night at $1.86 hanging rail weight.

 

[kstaven]

Price you have to pay for feed, how much grazing you have on your own property will be big factors on cost vs. end value.

 

[manybirds]

I think if we get some we'll go to auction and get a year old and a weanling. IF we do what do you feed? do you feed grain? anything special? I would like purebreds but i think at the auction you take what you can get. It will/would/should be fun! hope it works out and i'll post questions as i think of them. Hope they arn't sick if we do get them......... thanks for the advice!

 

[20kidsonhill]

I think if we get some we'll go to auction and get a year old and a weanling. IF we do what do you feed? do you feed grain? anything special? I would like purebreds but i think at the auction you take what you can get. It will/would/should be fun! hope it works out and i'll post questions as i think of them. Hope they arn't sick if we do get them......... thanks for the advice!

Why not buy off a farm so you know what you are getting. Wouldn't have to be registered, could still be commercial, then the farmer can also give you advice.