Educate me on having cattle

[Torvy]

Technically, you are correct about an open range state. BUT: see an article from Texas A&M AgriLife. " This common law, however, is not the end of the story. Although this law may be applicable in portions of the state, it is certainly not the law for all areas or all roadways in Texas. Two exceptions modify this common law rule for certain areas: stock laws and a statute pertaining to federal and state highways".
I do not want to get into a raging debate here. Just responding because I cannot even imagine NOT having my cattle fenced in! WOW. at least mine would wonder off who knows where. There are times I wish they would.

You are spot on...I didn't want to get into the entire code. I'm on a county road and cows would have a few miles to stray to get to a state/federal highway. I think most, if not all fence, but if they get out, they don't have the liability. Another reason for the post was as a reminder that what is true in one area may not be true in all.

There is a leased piece of land adjacent to us with cattle. They were out and showed up walking around where my house is now going up. Once we are on the property full-time, we will augment his fencing...we will also have a couple of Shepherds that will dissuade them. (or one GSD and another large dog)

 

[OldMcDonald]

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.

I agree with you in general terms about starting small. I was in my 20s when I first kept breeding cows (lots of experience with smaller stock and other species) and started with 4. AI'd them when the times came. Two gates tied at one end with baler twine (no headgate) and simply squeezed them up. No problems and 100% hold to first service for 3 years.

The problem is that this is a rather unique case, and what follows is not aimed at you, but a general comment, so please do not take it personally. Eddie is not the owner of the cattle. That is important for all of us to remember. I do not know how far he has progressed with the required administration of his brother's estate, but whatever he does is fraught with financial danger for him until it is finalised. He has no authority to move, or sell, the cattle, although selling would probably be viewed as being expedient for the welfare benefit of the cattle. His opening post on his thread about his brother's estate was that there is a lot of debt. What if a creditor comes along and wants paid? Perhaps the bull has not been paid for. Or some of the cows.

Assuming the cattle, or some of them are sold. Eddie cannot sell them in his name. He cannot even be re-imbursed for the hard feed and hay he has supplied. All he can do is put in a claim against the estate for these costs, and hope for the best.

We have all been offering him advice on the supposition he ends up buying the cattle from the estate, or from his parents as the next of kin, but there is no guarantee the cattle will be available to him if a creditor wants paid and the cattle have to be sold to pay them.

Maybe it is time for us all to back off on advice until his brother's estate is finalised. That could take a while.

 

[EddieWalker]

I will be selling most of the cattle as soon as possible. The remaining 6 will be part of the estate, which will end up being mine when it's all said and done. Everything that is sold is paid for in my brothers name. I deposit those checks in the same account that is holding his mortgage. This is how his mortgage is being paid. Not having as many mouths to feed will cut down on my expenses. I'm also doing the same thing with his ducks, but that money has been used to pay for feeding the cattle.

I learned a lot today about his cattle. His friend sold him some of them and knows the people he bought the others from. He was impressed by a couple of them, which are going to be the ones I keep. On Thursday I'm going to help him work some animals. Ear tag some calves, give them shots, and check for pregnancy on some cows. I'm also looking forward to working a squeeze chute, which is something I've never done before. He has a pretty good sized operation that should show me how things are done.

I think my biggest obstacle is just being so green, and not knowing anything about cattle.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’m sure your wisdom and God will help guide you through this.
You’re a good guy and I like how you roll.
Best of luck. Keep updating us on progress.

 

[JasperFrank]

I began to hate cattle, just working on my Dad's farm. Those bastards would look for any weakness in fencing. I'd look into those dull empty eyes they have, and completely not care about them aside from the leader Cows/ Steers: Those, were more like pets. These are the Cows/Steers that have been trained to lead the rest around. Bulls are dangerous animals. We had two people killed on our farm due to bulls, and farm hands not knowing that you never stand between a bull and a stationary object.

 

[Spike56]

I began to hate cattle, just working on my Dad's farm. Those bastards would look for any weakness in fencing. I'd look into those dull empty eyes they have, and completely not care about them aside from the leader Cows/ Steers: Those, were more like pets. These are the Cows/Steers that have been trained to lead the rest around. Bulls are dangerous animals. We had two people killed on our farm due to bulls, and farm hands not knowing that you never stand between a bull and a stationary object.

I can agree with your sediment at times. Unfortunately, the only practical way to keep my AG exemption is cattle. The wildlife exemption is really even worse from the aspect of what you must do to continue having it AND it is confusing to navigate all the do's and do not's.
Strange but, I really have never had an issue at all with any bull I have owned. Steers, yes. But once they reach 500-600 lbs... gone if possible. The most problematic time is once they are in the pen and sorting to haul to an auction. You never know which heifer, cow or steer will decide to charge you. This does not happen much, but it only takes one time to ruin your day. Had a compound fracture in my right hand warding off one. Agree also they can be sneaky animals. Mostly STUPID, but at times they seem pretty crafty.

 

[Spike56]

I will be selling most of the cattle as soon as possible. The remaining 6 will be part of the estate, which will end up being mine when it's all said and done. Everything that is sold is paid for in my brothers name. I deposit those checks in the same account that is holding his mortgage. This is how his mortgage is being paid. Not having as many mouths to feed will cut down on my expenses. I'm also doing the same thing with his ducks, but that money has been used to pay for feeding the cattle.

I learned a lot today about his cattle. His friend sold him some of them and knows the people he bought the others from. He was impressed by a couple of them, which are going to be the ones I keep. On Thursday I'm going to help him work some animals. Ear tag some calves, give them shots, and check for pregnancy on some cows. I'm also looking forward to working a squeeze chute, which is something I've never done before. He has a pretty good sized operation that should show me how things are done.

I think my biggest obstacle is just being so green, and not knowing anything about cattle.

Good news for you ! Having someone with a lot of experience... you cannot beat that. For me at least, experiences like you are undertaking, working with someone is terrific, but *can* be misleading. What I mean is, working with someone is great, but I found myself thinking "that went well, I can do that". Then by myself, I realized it was easy because there were (2) of us, and the person had the tools and equipment needed. Guess that is just human nature.
All the best of luck. Guess the good news is, if you keep them and decide they are too much trouble, you can just sell them off.
Many of my personal experiences are about the same - Being Green, wanting to do something, making mistakes, realizing I need to buy / do more than I thought.

 

[Torvy]

Unfortunately, the only practical way to keep my AG exemption is cattle.

For us, it is timber. I know a lot of people on small acreages in the city with 11 head of cattle for that exemption.

 

[newbury]

Bulls are dangerous animals. We had two people killed on our farm due to bulls, and farm hands not knowing that you never stand between a bull and a stationary object.

Bulls are not safe until they are on a dinner plate.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Never had a problem with our Hereford bulls.