Discussion: Let’s Talk Cattle! 🐄

[Luna Mesa]

I raise Dexter cattle. ADCA registered bull with PDCA registered cows. I don't worry about registering anymore because both associations are too political for me. We raise beef for our freezer and to sell through the Ranch to Table Act.

 

[Baymule]

I raise Dexter cattle. ADCA registered bull with PDCA registered cows. I don't worry about registering anymore because both associations are too political for me. We raise beef for our freezer and to sell through the Ranch to Table Act.

Welcome to BYH. Kinda sad when idiots take over registration associations.

 

[GLENMAR]

I have an interesting story. A few years ago one of my experienced cows went into labor. (a Highland with large horns) Things did not look right. She was struggling. This cow is not halter broke and I do not have a chute. She stood there and let me walk up her. The calf was positioned with one front leg facing back. Only one front leg and head were out. It was stuck. She let me reach in up to my elbow and find that leg. I brought it into the correct position and saved that calf and cow. No halter, she just stood there and let me do it. Amazed me........

 

[RR Homestead]

We have both beef and dairy cows. Our main herd is beef cows. We use AI (artificial insemination) only for our herds. We have been exclusively AI for a few decades now. We are a cow calf operation. We raise some steers for beef for us and our family. We used to have a waiting list of customers who bought steers from us yearly to raise their own meat for their families. Times changed and people started wanting everything done for them. We now have a faithful buyer that pays top dollar for our calves sold at once. Far less stress and better prices. We sold the majority of our herd in preparation for our move but we've kept a select bunch to start over once we are moved.
Our dairy cows are currently all jerseys. We have our older main milker. She raises 2-3 sets of calves per lactation normally as well as providing milk for our house. We have two of her daughters due to calve next year early in the year. Wasn't planned to have multiple heifers being trained at the same time but that's how it's worked out. Thankfully heifers lactate less on their first lactation. We'll be swimming in milk for a while and with insanely high calf prices we may not be grafting extra calves on this round. We'll be loosing access to calves from a local dairy friend once we move. We prefer beef or beef cross calves but they are more than $2,000 for a drop calf right now.
Biggest thing I think I can't stress enough to folks who want to have even a cow or two is to have proper handling equipment. We no longer even sell cattle to people who don't have handling equipment or at the least a secure load out area to get their cow to the vet if needed. I lost count long ago the amount of people who've called or stopped by wanting help catching their cow because it's sick or injured and they have no way to treat it. It's gotten so bad around our area at least that veterinarians either add a big charge or refuse service for places that don't have handling facilities anymore. It's just not worth the injuries to everyone involved including the cattle. I have been chased over fences on numerous occasions from sick/down cows that once poked with a needle are suddenly healed and ready to get revenge. Handling equipment is so important no matter how calm the cow. Sickness and hormones can really change a personality. Even just a head gate (attached to posts) and some heavy duty panels can be enough to contain a cow for loading or doctoring.

Not having a cow here milking, I don't make butter much anymore... my churns are big, hold a couple gallons of cream, so takes a bit to have enough to make it... I used to make it all the time when I was milking 2-3 cows and feeding the skim and buttermilk to the pigs...

I dream of having a couple gallon churn. I have a gallon churn but it can't do a gallon at a time.
Love having pigs to give the skim and buttermilk to. We do feed it to our chickens when we don't have pigs.

 

[GLENMAR]

It’s on my list to redo some things here and get a chute. I know I’ve been lucky so far.
I got the lecture from the vet.

 

[Baymule]

It’s on my list to redo some things here and get a chute. I know I’ve been lucky so far.
I got the lecture from the vet.

I have a chute for my sheep. It’s even more necessary for cattle. Squeeze chute and head gate might be in your future.

 

[farmerjan]

A head catch of some sort is a NECESSITY.... a squeeze chute is not... We do not have a squeeze chute, at any of the places we work cattle. Yes, it would be nice, NO it is NOT essential.
A head catch, stanchion, or something that will catch their head and prevent them from getting their head around to hurt you is necessary. A chute, alley or something that is tight enough to keep them contained is necessary. You want something that will keep them from swinging side to side, fairly tight so they cannot turn around or move side to side. You can use a couple of gates with solid posts to attach them to... to keep them "inline". It needs to be as long as the cattle, even longer by a couple feet. What is known as a "palpation cage" for someone to be able to stand behind an animal... and to be able to not have an animal come up on them from behind... it's a "safe zone" for a vet to work behind an animal or to breed AI or something like that.