Can I do cattle farm without a tractor?

sirgknight · Jul 1, 2004

That's just about the best "excuse" I've read in a long time for buying a tractor! You should have heard some of my excuses.......

Mark4510 · Jul 1, 2004

I dont know much about cattle ranching on the east coast but out here its pretty simple if you dont overgraze. Water, fence, cattle and a good horse.

I agree with Richard on this one. If you keep the herd appropriatly sized for the feed capabilities of the land, I am not sure you need to buy one. If you are going to increase the cattle/feed ratio to the point where the land is overgrazed then a tractor is probably called for.

Welcome to TBN. These guys have a ton of great info and are very helpful.

rockinmywaypa · Jul 1, 2004

what does a person need to raise cattle? answer cattle, you don't need a tractor you don't need to own land, all you need is the smarts to work a few weeks in advance to todays problems. people rent land all the time, fields can be rented for days at a time just to clean up some leftovers or whatever. What would make your situation easier is having a tractor, but you don't need it. fence your land into as many paddocks as possible and buy any feed you need for when the grass doesn't grow. Use a chariot behind the truck to move a bale out to the livestock. Buy or build a good corral in the centre of all the paddocks. That's where you'll make it or break it by being able to treat said cattle when a need arises.

riptides · Jul 1, 2004

Welcome to TBN.
Yes you can do it, but the costs of NOT having a tractor may eat away at you.
Physically and monetary wise. You can always make more money, but your body just doesn't really recover at the same rate year after year.

You will find another friend in the process IF you get a tractor.

Time.

I firmly believe you can save it for other things with the right equipment.

Good luck on your choice.
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

txdon · Jul 1, 2004

Yes, you can do a cattle farm without a tractor.
But, (there's always a but) I don't know what you would worry about more, the cattle or the tractor sitting up there all week by themselves. Just get insurance on the tractor if theft is a concern. My biggest concern is the cattle getting out of the fence or the neighbors cattle breaking my fence.

It may take longer than you think to build those fences and ponds. It only took me 7 years (weekends), and two trips to the emergency room, to finish all my fences - without a tractor.

tough451 · Jul 1, 2004

Yes you could raise cattle without a tractor as stated already on here it was done for years. If money is an issue all you need ia a good 35 to 45 hp utility tractor and it doesnt have to be new.
If I were you I could see needing a 3pt auger,a blade,and a brush hog, a you should be able to get all of this for 7000.00 at the most.
To answer your question no you dont need one but it would take out alot of back breaking labor.

rlee6 · Jul 1, 2004

( That's just about the best "excuse" I've read in a long time for buying a tractor! You should have heard some of my excuses....... )

Excuses? Yes and no. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Yes, I wanted experienced people to tear down my best excuses for not buying a tractor.

No, because I am really not excited about tractor at all. Last week I bought my first pickup truck ever. I knew I would need 3/4 or 1 ton to haul cattle trailer. I went out with the intent of buying one of these. But when I saw 3/4 ton, it was too big for me. I've never driven a car with 5 liter engine! I quickly settled for 1/2 ton instead. I am going to pay someone to move cattle for me.

I am not fond of clunking machinery though I am a metallurgical engineer. But I like farming. Have always liked it. Bottom line is I want to do farming without heavy steels. But I am finding that's impossible.

Thank you folks. That's what I learned from you all: I need steels. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Poppa · Jul 2, 2004

Of course you can raise cattle without a tractor. My Grandfather did it with a horse. Of course he also had three strapping young boys who according to my dad were used in lieu of a tractor. So have boys and forget about the tractor but be aware that according to dad, the longer the fence line, the shallower the fence post holes /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Mike

MicroPilot · Jul 2, 2004

( .....I knew I would need 3/4 or 1 ton to haul cattle trailer. I went out with the intent of buying one of these. But when I saw 3/4 ton, it was too big for me. I've never driven a car with 5 liter engine! I quickly settled for 1/2 ton instead. .... )

Huh? A pickup truck is a pickup truck! It doesn't matter if it's load rating is 1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton they all drive the same.

Are you sure you know all thats involved with keeping livestock, and how much work is needed?

Poppa · Jul 2, 2004

( Yes, I wanted experienced people to tear down my best excuses for not buying a tractor.)

Well, you came to the appropriate place for that.

( No, because I am really not excited about tractor at all. Last week I bought my first pickup truck ever. I knew I would need 3/4 or 1 ton to haul cattle trailer. I went out with the intent of buying one of these. But when I saw 3/4 ton, it was too big for me. I've never driven a car with 5 liter engine! I quickly settled for 1/2 ton instead. I am going to pay someone to move cattle for me. )

On the one hand I will admit that pick-ups are also unnecessary for cattle ranching, just useful like a tractor. On the other hand, that whole statement has me shaking my head and asking the same thing as Micropilot.

"HUH?"

( I am not fond of clunking machinery though I am a metallurgical engineer. But I like farming. Have always liked it. Bottom line is I want to do farming without heavy steels. But I am finding that's impossible.

Thank you folks. That's what I learned from you all: I need steels. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

RLEE, you aren't by any chance related to Nomad are you?? your writing style is reminiscent of his.

Anyway, good luck in your endeavor

Mike