Cattle questions

[kenmac]

I raise Hereford / Angus cross. Last week at the stockyard, 600-700 # steers ranged in price from 1.60- 2.67 per #
Bottle calves are tough to raise. some make it, some don't.

I usually raise my beef to at least 1300# before I take them to the butcher. The steaks and brisket are much larger.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Not from experience just from a quick research...

The tradition of using Hereford bulls on Angus heifers is for maximizing calving ease, hybrid vigor, and market appeal. While using an Angus bull on Hereford heifers is not inherently problematic it can be depending on genetic, it is less common because it doesn't optimize these factors as effectively.

Hereford bulls are often selected for their moderate birth weights, which are important when breeding to smaller or first-calf heifers (like Angus heifers). This reduces the risk of calving difficulties (dystocia).

Angus bulls, while also known for calving ease in many lines, may produce slightly heavier calves compared to Herefords. This can make them less ideal for first-time heifers, especially if the Hereford heifers are smaller or less proven.

 

[BackRoad]

Great thread, interesting insight...Thank You to the contributors.

 

[paulsharvey]

"Bottle calves are tough to raise. some make it, some don't."

Yeah, I'm not saying that maybe the 2nd or 3rd batch, a bottle bull calf, that I got cheap, it wouldn't pick up, but for a first run, I dont want bottle calfs.

I know some people like them, cause they want to handle them from day 1 (or 2-3) but I dont.

 

[Eagle1]

I went the Dexter route, smaller and easy keepers, Will eat almost everything a goat would. Not too expensive if you do not buy pedigree. 6-12 month heifer go for 500-1000, bulls 600-1100. I did buy a bull with long pedigree but got a bargain (600 delivered) because the couple was down sizing and wanted him in a place they liked.

 

[LHF2019]

I had forgotten there was another Dexter raiser on here. We also raise Dexters. Easy keepers. We are currently at a herd of 34 and slightly mixed Jerseys, Dexters, and now Jersey/Dexter crosses. We AI them but can foresee needing a bull in the future pending semen availability and having a technician We sell them as whole/halves and wife has started a ground beef store. From a feed stand point they do not eat near as much as the larger breeds. When they are done the Jerseys are still eating. Larger framed animals need more feed to maintain but the end ratio does not always pan out. We consider ours forage based. If I grow it I can feed it but we do not buy grain. Eventually I would like to start picking corn for them. We already green chop corn silage during the summer/fall months.


If you are doing actions mostly you'll want big and black. They don't taste any different but black sells.

 

[Eagle1]

We have an even dozen now, all black except my brown lead cow. Kept the last 2 heifers out of our first bull (now deceased) and bought a slightly smaller registered bull calf. He is just over a year old now and still fighting his way up the ladder with the older steers. If things work we should see some newbies this year.
We have too many steers right now but a year+ with no new ones should put me back on track.
Only complaint about Dexters is the can get too friendly and stay in the way. I have a couple that are more dog than cow. Most you can do anything with, there are couple cows that don't like a lot of touching.

 

[t1kilo]

Glad to see there are some of you with Dexters. I have 9 of them. Great animals. I bought registered with the intent of selling off heifers and either keeping or purchasing steers. The plan is to butcher 3 per year between 6 couples. The first to be sent to freezer camp will be in March. I can’t wait!

 

[D&D]

OK, the folks here have given you some good information. Here are some of my opinions:

- You haven't yet factored in veterinary costs. All the animals will need a series of shots before or as they come to you. Either the producer or a large animal vet with facilities will have to do that for you. If you have later sickness on your farm, how will you get the animals up to treat them? Not to mention later worming, etc. Think pens, water, feed troughs, etc. Dart guns can work, but that calf will remember you shot it...

Best of Luck

That was my first thought, one vet trip can wipe out a lot. Ours is $100 for a farm call, 300 for after hours.

 

[MMC]

I would never dissuade someone from trying a rewarding enterprise. If you know all the background info. Here's some hard information to think about if you raise beef to sell:

- Cattle operations are based on capital expenses spread across years and many groups of animals. I have many thousands of dollars invested in just corral panels, facilities, squeeze chute(s), feeders, etc. It will honestly be hard to justify some of those expenses for smaller groups of animals like you noted earlier.
- To a certain extent, the commercial game is not set up in your favor (or mine, frankly). Four companies now own close to 85% of final beef feedlots and packing facilities in this country. Two of those, JBS and National, are actually owned by Brazilian entities, even though they have "American" offices. Due to consolidation and the power of those at the top of a vertically integrated system, profits tend go to the top and expenses go to the bottom (read, the farmer). I don't think that's healthy, but it's not illegal (not yet - there are some government initiatives looking into monopolistic practices by the industry). By the way, if you sell at a stockyard, you will be "docked" a certain amount of money because you don't have enough weight for a tractor trailer "load." You will also be assessed a commission fee, an insurance fee, and a Beef "Checkoff" fee. No one else in the chain normally pays those fees. Any animal identification methods used to protect the supply chain will also be paid by...the farmer.
- Now, since we're talking real life, consider safety. Anyone who raises beef will tell you certain breeds and certain animals within the same breed can be...crazy. Move them on because crazy is contagious in herds. Cattle are also prey animals. When frightened, or even playing, they will rear up on the front feet and kick backwards, to devastating effect. And can kick sideways as well (think 10# sledgehammer on your shinbone). Can you stop a 1000# animal? Nope, but you can get hurt trying. You manage cattle to go where you want - you don't make them.
- If this is just about meat for the family, I agree with others - you can get much better beef locally sourced from farmers if you search them out.
- But if you really want to raise some animals yourself, I would encourage you to take some of the preceding suggestions. Quiet, smaller animals, like the Dexters might be a good place to start. Ask the extension office who might be raising them (or other smaller breeds). Those farmers might even be interested in helping you get started.

Best of Luck.