Educate me on having cattle

[Needville]

Don't overthink it. Once you factor in all the costs the best cattlemen make maybe $300 per cow per year. The worst cattlemen probably lose about the same. I'm guessing the amount of money you stand to make or lose from 5-10 head isn't going to put you in the poor house--or allow you to buy a private island.

If you want to play with cows, play with them. The great thing is if you get tired of them they are always easy to sell.

 

[EddieWalker]

I reached out to a guy that knew my brother and he raises Herefords. He offered to meet me at my brothers place on Friday to look them over and offer his advice on who to keep and who to sell. He also has experience selling at the Livestock Exchange/Auction, which I’ll talk to him about too.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

You bring up some great points that I hadn't considered. All I know about the Angus bull is what they neighbors have said, and they are telling me what my brother said to them. My brother was an alcoholic that never knew what he was talking about and never finished anything he started. Even worse, if he got something wrong, he would double down on it over admitting his mistake.

The neighbors told me it was a great bull that my brother paid $3,500 for. Now that I'm thinking about it, odds are very good that he made up what he paid for the bull, and he just lied to them to act like a big shot.

I'm guilty of believing what they told me, and not knowing anything about cattle. Thinking about this, I don't see any reason to keep the bull. I've been struggling to figure out where to keep him, and how to separate him from the cows on my place. That's just more work that I don't need to deal with, and another mouth to feed that isn't going to do anything for me in return.

I appreciate your honesty and willingness to be blunt.

I believe you have thought this through to change the direction of what needs to happen, I think that is what a lot of us like about your posts.
Went through a similiar situation when I lost my brother in March, only I didn't change course when I should have. Just added extra work is all. Extra work my wife said I didn't need, and she was right.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I know NOTHING about cows, other than that is where my milk and steak come from. That being said, I know good advice when I hear it. Good job TBN guiding one of our finest through this process.

 

[OldMcDonald]

I appreciate your honesty and willingness to be blunt.

I would hope all posters on TFF are honest, and after sharing some 17 years on this forum with you, I think you appreciate blunt over bulldust. No point in men pussyfooting about.

 

[Torvy]

A slightly different take...I would consider keeping the steer and the cows. It depends on the weight of the steer. If he's up above about 1000 lbs, I'd sell him. If he is still light, I'd add some weight. If for no other reason than to get some practice.

I agree that bulls are not worth it for a small operation unless you went 100% the other way and raised bulls for stud. Pretty expensive endeavor to start as you need quality bulls for people to be willing to pay for their, 'services'. Just keep the cows and maybe the steer. Have fun!

 

[OldMcDonald]

A slightly different take...I would consider keeping the steer and the cows. It depends on the weight of the steer. If he's up above about 1000 lbs, I'd sell him. If he is still light, I'd add some weight. If for no other reason than to get some practice.

I agree that bulls are not worth it for a small operation unless you went 100% the other way and raised bulls for stud. Pretty expensive endeavor to start as you need quality bulls for people to be willing to pay for their, 'services'. Just keep the cows and maybe the steer. Have fun!

All of the cows? Why, partiularly since you know Eddie has no handling facilities at either property.

Why keep the steer until he is big enough to cause problems without the ability to handle him? What is the purpose in putting on a bit more weight? Genuine question. Gaining experience of handling/not being able to handle steers in not an answer.

Eddie is seeking advice about a predicament he has. You also have to bear in mind that he is doing whatever has to be done on behalf of his parents. At least it appears they are the next of kin of the deceased. I am all in favour of helping out your parents as far as possible, but there is no point in Eddie working himself to death to do so. He already has a lot to contend with, and taking on a bunch of cows and their offspring is not going to help him much.

 

[Torvy]

All of the cows? Why, partiularly since you know Eddie has no handling facilities at either property.

Why keep the steer until he is big enough to cause problems without the ability to handle him? What is the purpose in putting on a bit more weight? Genuine question. Gaining experience of handling/not being able to handle steers in not an answer.

Sorry, I had gone with Eddie's comment about keeping 6 cows. 7 head is not the worst size herd to learn on.

There is a calculation for the prime size to sell a steer to maximize price versus upkeep. I don't recall the math. My experience with Hereford steers is that they were quite docile, but I don't have your years of experience. I'd personally want to have the steer butchered and in my freezer as long as it was at a reasonable size. Either way, it was just a thought.

My understanding is he intended to get a chute and other appropriate kit for maintaining cattle on his own place.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

View attachment 769381


Bruce

Having livestock is better.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My dad raised Herefords from 1948 until 2 years ago, when he could no longer physically take care of them at age 96 (then). He misses them. He loved raising cattle.
Sell the older ones and young bulls. keep the younger cows and a bull.