Beef Cattle Advice

[two_bit_score]

When I've needed an extra bull or two I can usually get a couple for just the up keep on them. But it's all in who you know and how well they like you.

At times I've kept a couple more than I needed for someone short on grass in exchange for the one or two I did need.

That'll work, too. Our bull and the neighbors bull cross pollinate all the time. They just kinda work it out on their own.

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[two_bit_score]

KY, if you get a bull you should probably make sure he is tested for trich.

http://osufacts.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-7271/VTMD-9134pod.pdf

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[dmccarty]

Probably some pasture renter or some one allowed to run cattle on it o maintain the AG exemption who s not keeping it up.

They are absolutely using the cattle to keep the AG tax valuation. If they loose the AG valuation, they will have to sell the land to pay the property tax. The land is very valuable and would be snapped up in a minute even in today's market. For some reason, right or wrong, I think the cattle is being run by a younger member of the family. The pasture used to be in better shape, its not bad, but you can see the weeds gaining ground.

Later,
Dan

 

[jkk]

I will get you a pic tomorrow and post 04/03. Anything thats black and registered, black baldies and charolais seem to have a bigger price tag around here. In Oct. 13 of them will be a year old, and in Dec. the other 4 will be a year old.

I'm gonna agree with western I think you have a few to many. I'm just going to suggest this that you sell a couple when they get in the 5to6 weight,how ever many will get you enough hay/feed to make it threw til next spring they should be just guessing 16/18mnths old ready to breed sell down to 8/10 head of the best ones and take some that money and buy you a good bull,feed and then by next year you will be dropping calfs,and cover your operating cost selling those and maybe alittle to put back. This is just what I come up with,good luck in whatever you deside.
But I don't agree with the one comment of your heifers being light that they are not going to be good ones. I don't know your area but black tends to bring alittle better at sale here,other than the registered,baldies,tiger strips,etc..
I would like to see your heifers,got any pics?

 

[robbyr]

Hello, I have just bought 17 heifer beef calves. They weigh on average 375lbs. each. I am planning on letting them graze on our 16 acres of pasture and give them some dry feed daily. I would like some advice on the best way to be profitable with this group of calves. Maybe some of you experienced farmers could give me some good advice on the feeding and handling of these calves.
James

What? You can be profitable raising cattle?:shocked:

 

[Turbys_1700]

We no longer have a cattle operation but did for many years...
This was 3 small herds located over 3 small farms...
Each farm was 75 to 100 acres and we kept only 25 to 30 cows per herd...
This allowed us to rotate pastures and have plenty of acreage to raise hay...
The cows were fat and happy going into winter which allowed us a shorter feeding time with hay...
We always kept 3 bulls and rotated them between herds and farms...
Worked out pretty well...
Always kept salt and mineral blocks for them and water was never an issue as all 3 farms had plenty of water...
We always kept a good bloodline bull and eventually started raising our own taking the best one to the other herds on a rotation schedule...
If you go that route just remember small head, long body, tall, straight back, and polled...
And, if you get into haying go round...
Less labor...

 

[two_bit_score]

KY, I think you might want to check out your local BQA resources.

Beef Quality Assurance - Resources

When you start buying hay try to have a place to store it under cover. Hay kept covered will retain its protein content and be good for so much longer than hay stored out in the weather that a decent hay barn is one thing on a farm that will actually pay for itself.

 

[jkk]

Here are some pics of my heifers.

I'm gonna agree with western I think you have a few to many. I'm just going to suggest this that you sell a couple when they get in the 5to6 weight,how ever many will get you enough hay/feed to make it threw til next spring they should be just guessing 16/18mnths old ready to breed sell down to 8/10 head of the best ones and take some that money and buy you a good bull,feed and then by next year you will be dropping calfs,and cover your operating cost selling those and maybe alittle to put back. This is just what I come up with,good luck in whatever you deside.
But I don't agree with the one comment of your heifers being light that they are not going to be good ones. I don't know your area but black tends to bring alittle better at sale here,other than the registered,baldies,tiger strips,etc..
I would like to see your heifers,got any pics?

 

[Western]

Nothing wrong with those girls! From here they look like good stock:thumbsup: I would get a sulfur salt block and maybe a couple of trace mineral blocks out.

 

[jkk]

Dennis,
Thanks! These calves seem to be really happy with their new home. I have a mineral block out. I will get a sulfur block also and put out for them. I have seen some people use salt that comes in a bag. Is one better than the other? Thanks for you advice. James

Nothing wrong with those girls! From here they look like good stock:thumbsup: I would get a sulfur salt block and maybe a couple of trace mineral blocks out.