- Thread starter
- #191
WildRoseBeef
Range nerd & bovine enthusiast
Now, for my REAL thoughts that started me on this whole mono-whatever-you-call-it-discussion, and what my DB started with his suggestions to me, not to mention the things I've been reading on here, on CattleToday, the Canadian Cattlemen Magazine and a few other places.
And if I've mentioned it before, meh, it's worth mentioning again.
I think it would be more cost-effective to start with raising feeder steers or heifers to get my feet wet and start experimenting with some MIG rotational grazing stuff. Purchase them in April or May, or whenever the grass starts to come up enough to start grazing on, MIG graze them in the corrals for the first bit to train them to the electric fence, then really begin the MIG for the summer. Then I'd sell them when they're big enough or when I feel it's the best time to take them off the pasture for the summer/fall.
In the mean time I'd start building a cow herd. I was asked by one of my colleagues why is it really necessary to start with 3-in-1's or bred cows? He said you can literally start with whatever you want, there's nothing that says you have to. I think the reason I thought to start with that was because of the more experience with calving out and weaning and that. Then today I was reading a thread on CattleToday that put a question on whether it was feasible to retain heifers or not, especially with prices nowadays. The one post that stood out for me was the one that said that the only problems you get with heifers and calving is when you're using the wrong bull on them. If you're not using the wrong bull then you won't have the calving troubles. The other issue I've had to think about was mothering ability, but I think that is due to the fact that I have to be choosey about the kind of heifers I purchase, make sure I get some good maternal-type heifers and not culls that will not last very long.
So possibly start with heifers? Likely, yes, since they're cheaper than buying 3-in-1's and I'd probably have less risk associated with good, quality heifers over 3-in-1's bought at the auction, regardless if it's from a dispersal sale or not. The reason I say less risk is that I wouldn't know what the history for a 2nd or 3rd-calver is and whether she was bred to a questionable bull or not.
And those Galloways are starting to look more and more appetizing the more I see pictures of them.
And who knows what will aspire in the next five years? I really hope to keep my job at the UFA for that long and longer, and the farm will be kept being rented out for the next five years as well, that's already been agreed. But with me, hope to keep the job, certainly feel like I will (confident I will at this rate), but the other thing is that it's possible that I may even find or buy a farm of my own.....though at this rate, that probably won't be any time soon, certainly not within five years from now!! I hope to have ALL my student loans paid off within five years or less, and really start getting something concrete down with this cattle business.
But, the idea of starting with grazing stockers in the summer for the first couple years or so before starting a cowherd sounds ideal. From the one contract grazier I talked to and got to tour his ranch, doing that (the stocker route) is more profitable than going cow-calf.
And if I've mentioned it before, meh, it's worth mentioning again.
I think it would be more cost-effective to start with raising feeder steers or heifers to get my feet wet and start experimenting with some MIG rotational grazing stuff. Purchase them in April or May, or whenever the grass starts to come up enough to start grazing on, MIG graze them in the corrals for the first bit to train them to the electric fence, then really begin the MIG for the summer. Then I'd sell them when they're big enough or when I feel it's the best time to take them off the pasture for the summer/fall.
In the mean time I'd start building a cow herd. I was asked by one of my colleagues why is it really necessary to start with 3-in-1's or bred cows? He said you can literally start with whatever you want, there's nothing that says you have to. I think the reason I thought to start with that was because of the more experience with calving out and weaning and that. Then today I was reading a thread on CattleToday that put a question on whether it was feasible to retain heifers or not, especially with prices nowadays. The one post that stood out for me was the one that said that the only problems you get with heifers and calving is when you're using the wrong bull on them. If you're not using the wrong bull then you won't have the calving troubles. The other issue I've had to think about was mothering ability, but I think that is due to the fact that I have to be choosey about the kind of heifers I purchase, make sure I get some good maternal-type heifers and not culls that will not last very long.
So possibly start with heifers? Likely, yes, since they're cheaper than buying 3-in-1's and I'd probably have less risk associated with good, quality heifers over 3-in-1's bought at the auction, regardless if it's from a dispersal sale or not. The reason I say less risk is that I wouldn't know what the history for a 2nd or 3rd-calver is and whether she was bred to a questionable bull or not.
And those Galloways are starting to look more and more appetizing the more I see pictures of them.
And who knows what will aspire in the next five years? I really hope to keep my job at the UFA for that long and longer, and the farm will be kept being rented out for the next five years as well, that's already been agreed. But with me, hope to keep the job, certainly feel like I will (confident I will at this rate), but the other thing is that it's possible that I may even find or buy a farm of my own.....though at this rate, that probably won't be any time soon, certainly not within five years from now!! I hope to have ALL my student loans paid off within five years or less, and really start getting something concrete down with this cattle business.
But, the idea of starting with grazing stockers in the summer for the first couple years or so before starting a cowherd sounds ideal. From the one contract grazier I talked to and got to tour his ranch, doing that (the stocker route) is more profitable than going cow-calf.
