Raising a beef cow/steer - looking for advice and tips

[dave1949]

I'm open for options. Thought about goats for milk, but don't know if I would like the milk. Also I don't think I'd have time to milk it daily or twice daily. Not sure if sheep meat would be worth it. I don't mind the taste of lamb never had adult sheep meat.

Care to elaborate on less risky side of things ? Do they require less space and I would imagine less feed.

You could also consider feeder pigs if not doing beef. Fairly short time to raise, smaller pen and shelter needed. Good eating. Easier to butcher at home.

 

[Axe Man]

Not a parallel universe.......New Brunswick

Man...I have not seen those prices in 15 years...are you sure you are not in a parallel universe or something....step away from the black hole.......:laughing:

 

[joshuabardwell]

You could also consider feeder pigs if not doing beef. Fairly short time to raise, smaller pen and shelter needed. Good eating. Easier to butcher at home.

We do feeder pigs most every year, and I can second this. The shortest time to market we have ever had was four months. Those pigs grew like gangbusters! More typical is six months. If you get one in March, it can be in the freezer by October. They do all right in a smaller pen, but you will need to come up with a plan to deal with all the manure. Deep bedding may work for you. Also, some people rotate them through a few smaller areas, with about 30 days between areas, giving time for nature to take its course on the manure. For containment, IMO, nothing works like electric, especially if you train them to it when young. An adult pig will tear up nearly anything except steel and concrete if it takes a mind to it, but let it get shocked by a fence as a 12-week piglet, and it'll remember that when it's a 200 lb adult.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Could always go to local livestock show and buy the kids steer that doesn't make the sale.

 

[MotorSeven]

We just bought a sheep/lamb/mutton from a friend & had it processed.....hanging weight was 54 lbs. I did not weigh the processed meat, but it easily fit in a medium cooler.....best guess is 35-40lbs.

 

[MotorSeven]

Not a parallel universe.......New Brunswick

All jokes aside, you must be in a beef rich location as you are way below the national average(Ca and US). I agree, if it's that cheap at a store it's worth serious consideration vs raising your own.

 

[/pine]

The OP does not state a reason I assume for economical reasons...(?)

I suggest using the 1/2-3/4 acre for vegetable garden space...and using the other money ( all acquired costs raising beef) and just buy a 1/2 beef from a local abattoir for freezer meat...

 

[General Lee]

You could also consider feeder pigs if not doing beef. Fairly short time to raise, smaller pen and shelter needed. Good eating. Easier to butcher at home.

I considered them, but everyone in my circle (friends, family) advises against. I kinda agree. They are filthy stanky animals. Not sure I want that and like josh said I'd have to come up with a manure plan

 

[dave1949]

I considered them, but everyone in my circle (friends, family) advises against. I kinda agree. They are filthy stanky animals. Not sure I want that and like josh said I'd have to come up with a manure plan

If you raise animals, from rabbits to steers, you need a manure plan. :laughing: It's actually a great benefit to any gardening or pasture building you may do.

Pigs do not have to be stinky or filthy when housed and penned correctly. "Smaller pen" does not mean a 4x8 cage.

 

[joshuabardwell]

We just bought a sheep/lamb/mutton from a friend & had it processed.....hanging weight was 54 lbs. I did not weigh the processed meat, but it easily fit in a medium cooler.....best guess is 35-40lbs.

Typical hang weight is 72% of live weight. Typical freezer weight is 55% of live weight. By those numbers, you had 41 lbs in the freezer, so you're right on the money. Good estimate!

EDIT: Another useful metric is that meat is about 30 lbs per cubic foot (good for estimating freezer space), and 1 lb per quart (good for estimating cooler space).