I raise cattle for profit or try too. It is difficult. I am currently running 10 cows plus bull on about 30 acres of pasture then have another 25 acres of neighbors lands that are strictly hay. Stocking capacity depends on weather. Last year was a record drought for us I had all the cattle that I needed this year has been cool and wet may have enough grass to get to Christmas. But I am wanting to increase to about 14 or 15 cows that is what I feel I can handle in a normal year. My 30 acres are divided up into 7 pastures. Perimeter fence is 2 strands of electric barb wire with T post every 30-35 feet. Interior fences are same or single strand of electric barb wire. Set your fences high have seen guys use same fence for hogs and cattle. And the cattle step over fence when the grass gets short. Must also think of water the cleaner the water the better they grow.
I am running black baldy cows and a registered Limosine bull. As we have some specialty markets for this mix in state. Have not sold to them yet as I have not had the quality of calves that I want to send to them but am hopeful next year I will.
For your 8 acres I would recommend about 5 cows and buy the hay this can be done for about the price of one calf. Then I would recommend either learn how to AI (Artificial Insemination) or find some one who can do it for you. Talk to extension agent they should know. Bulls on this small a herd get expensive if of quality. Get some type of handling facility built nothing worst than a cow that needs help calving or is sick and not having a way to get her in head gate. Under roof is best and a sick pen or two is helpful. Here is the website I use to determine market conditions.
Cattle Market Prices
If you want to raise calves during summer months only you can we always purchased them at 4 or 5 weights (400-500lbs). I would recommend no more than 15 starting out around here that will cost about 12-15grand depending on quality but you need to know what you are looking for or else you can pay number 1&2 prices for number 3 calves. Still need that handling facility. They will get sick and will have to be treated for shipping fever at least (have lost calves to this). Selling of bees at the end of summer ours always added about 2-2.5lbs per day avg. daily gain.
Feeding: if you can find a bakery and get ahold of the out of date bread feed it t the cattle as they love it and will grow good on it and is cheaper than grain. Other than that look at ddg's (dry distillers grains) and soybean hulls. Watch ddg's as they can be toxic if not mixed with enough soy hulls.
Didn't realize cattle were so hard to raise did you? You can do it but do your research and go talk to some guys ask to see their handling facilities and then pick their brains most are proud of them and love to show them off and will tell you what they would change about theirs.
Private message me if you need to been in cattle about 15 years now.
Good luck.
