rd200
Exploring the pasture
Okay, so I am a Dairy farmer at heart, grew up on a Farm. When I was young, we had steers, then pigs, then finally my dad got into Dairy farming. Anyways, I showed beef cattle for 4-h a few years and loved them. So now i want to start raising some beef cattle. Im married, have a young family, currently work on a farm. I want to quit my job (secondary income) and go full fledged self-sufficient gardener, farmer, etc. I am still trying to decide on a good Milk cow (ideally dual-purpose) but havent decided on that yet. But i am trying to concentrate on whether or not we can actually make money on beef cattle. Im not talking about LOADS of MOOLA.... just enough to make it worth it and to convince my hubby that it is a good idea. I have some breeds narrowed down (for now) i was thinking Scottish Highlands, Galloways, or Red polls for now. Maybe Devons too. I am planning on grass feeding and hay in the winter. So from late October until May I am going to be feeding hay. I was trying to figure out how much hay cow/calf will be eating, how much the hay will cost, other expenses, etc. Geez..... Im not so sure I WILL make any money!!! I guess it depends on how quickly and if i can get rid of the calves, when i get rid of them, if im selling for breeding stock, raising to market weight, raising to sell as halves and quarters....etc. Im not planning on going BIG. Maybe ill stick with 1 or possibly 2 breeds, but no more than 5 or 6 cows. And no bull, Ill AI them.
these breeds are known for ruggedness, efficiency, being able to thrive on pasture/sometimes poor quality, calving ease and temperment. I dont know how much they will eat in winter but i was figuring a cow is probably going to be around 800-1100lbs (depending on what breed..) would it make sense that each cow would eat about 50lbs of hay per day in winter?? Im not planning on grain supplementation unless needed. but they will have mineral/salt blocks. Im thinking that Im not going to be PROFITING from the cow until Ive had her at least 2 years and she has given me 2 calves. Does that sound about right? there is the initial investment of the cow itself, then breeding fees, (AI) then feeding thru winter, then the calf is born, summer is almost free cuz they are going to be pastured, then sell the calf at weaning?? then feed the cow thru winter again, have calf, hopefully by the time i sell THIS calf, then i willhave made a little money.
As much as i would LOVE to just fly by the seat of my pants and not look at the logistic of it, that wont work. I cant lOSE money on it. I know from year to year things will be good/bad depending on the market, rain fall, hay availability, calf crop, etc. The market is strong now, but that will change too.
Another quick question,before i bore you all to death with my over analization of everything...
Is there any preferences on what way to go?? Meaning, Is raising Registered stock to sell for breeding stock more profitable than just raising unregistered stock and selling to the market? or is raising them to market weight and then butchering and selling the meat directly to consumers more profitable?? A little of all????
Thanks in advance for the info....
these breeds are known for ruggedness, efficiency, being able to thrive on pasture/sometimes poor quality, calving ease and temperment. I dont know how much they will eat in winter but i was figuring a cow is probably going to be around 800-1100lbs (depending on what breed..) would it make sense that each cow would eat about 50lbs of hay per day in winter?? Im not planning on grain supplementation unless needed. but they will have mineral/salt blocks. Im thinking that Im not going to be PROFITING from the cow until Ive had her at least 2 years and she has given me 2 calves. Does that sound about right? there is the initial investment of the cow itself, then breeding fees, (AI) then feeding thru winter, then the calf is born, summer is almost free cuz they are going to be pastured, then sell the calf at weaning?? then feed the cow thru winter again, have calf, hopefully by the time i sell THIS calf, then i willhave made a little money.
As much as i would LOVE to just fly by the seat of my pants and not look at the logistic of it, that wont work. I cant lOSE money on it. I know from year to year things will be good/bad depending on the market, rain fall, hay availability, calf crop, etc. The market is strong now, but that will change too.
Another quick question,before i bore you all to death with my over analization of everything...
Is there any preferences on what way to go?? Meaning, Is raising Registered stock to sell for breeding stock more profitable than just raising unregistered stock and selling to the market? or is raising them to market weight and then butchering and selling the meat directly to consumers more profitable?? A little of all????
Thanks in advance for the info....
! (But we eat well!) I would think a lot is going to depend on how much you want to spend in the beginning. It seems as though registered stock would sell for more if you are trying to sell for breeding, but won't do you much good when you sell as beef if the market is down. (It's high now in the NE). And I would think you'd make more if you keep your calf until it's freezer size as opposed to selling at weaning if you have your own pasture and hay.
but the rewards are very healthy and tender omega 3 rich beef which is low in omega 6.
