In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Options
Thinking about some beef cows......
Tech141
Member Posts: 3,787 ✭✭✭
Wife and I are looking at buying a few beef cows, with an eye on filling the freezer for the next few years. Now we have never done this before, and are looking for links/advise on how to proceed.
We have a 45 acre piece of land where the cows will be housed, but it's 3 hours away from where we live. We do have a local who is running cows on the property gratis at this time, but we don't want to take over-advantage of him on this.
Should we purchase a cow/calf combo with an eye on breeding the cow for future issue, or just buy a few weaned calfs to raise and slaughter.
Yep - total newb on this and would appreciate any info from you seasoned veterans on this subject.
Further info - we want this to be a sustainable situation for the future, and will be moving onto the property within the next 4-5 years so we will have an every-day-hands-on situation at that time.
Anyhoo, thanks for reading this far. If you have advice, please bring it.
We have a 45 acre piece of land where the cows will be housed, but it's 3 hours away from where we live. We do have a local who is running cows on the property gratis at this time, but we don't want to take over-advantage of him on this.
Should we purchase a cow/calf combo with an eye on breeding the cow for future issue, or just buy a few weaned calfs to raise and slaughter.
Yep - total newb on this and would appreciate any info from you seasoned veterans on this subject.
Further info - we want this to be a sustainable situation for the future, and will be moving onto the property within the next 4-5 years so we will have an every-day-hands-on situation at that time.
Anyhoo, thanks for reading this far. If you have advice, please bring it.
Comments
You should get FREE meat (1/2 a beef), including processing for your acreage now. Pasture ain't free.
Roger that. We just don't want to take advantage of the local guy. He already does a lot for us as far as watching the property and making sure the fences are mended. He's also a really good guy with a family in "not the best" financial situation.
We are just looking for the best way to raise some cows for our freezer for the next 40 years.....LOL.
I would buy locally raised beef until you are settled in. You can usually buy a half of beef off {elsewhere}. On 45 acres you should be able to raise 4 or 5 head of cattle, and have sufficient feed during the summer.
quote:Originally posted by bpost
You should get FREE meat (1/2 a beef), including processing for your acreage now. Pasture ain't free.
Roger that. We just don't want to take advantage of the local guy. He already does a lot for us as far as watching the property and making sure the fences are mended. He's also a really good guy with a family in "not the best" financial situation.
We are just looking for the best way to raise some cows for our freezer for the next 40 years.....LOL.
Sorry, I must be a bit slow on the uptake. So this "really good guy" is using your land for free and helping you out by "watching the property" and "making sure the fences are mended." In other words he has his cows on your land, he shows up regularly to check on them, and when they knock down a fence he repairs it so they don't run away.
That he's putting one over on you is remarkable. That you are aware of what is going on and think he's actually doing you a favor is unbelieveable.
quote:Originally posted by Tech141
quote:Originally posted by bpost
You should get FREE meat (1/2 a beef), including processing for your acreage now. Pasture ain't free.
Roger that. We just don't want to take advantage of the local guy. He already does a lot for us as far as watching the property and making sure the fences are mended. He's also a really good guy with a family in "not the best" financial situation.
We are just looking for the best way to raise some cows for our freezer for the next 40 years.....LOL.
Sorry, I must be a bit slow on the uptake. So this "really good guy" is using your land for free and helping you out by "watching the property" and "making sure the fences are mended." In other words he has his cows on your land, he shows up regularly to check on them, and when they knock down a fence he repairs it so they don't run away.
That he's putting one over on you is remarkable. That you are aware of what is going on and think he's actually doing you a favor is unbelieveable.
You are getting screwed! That guy should be giving you at least half a beef, MINIMUM! Do you have any idea what pasture land rents for these days????????
Merc
quote:Originally posted by mlincoln
quote:Originally posted by Tech141
quote:Originally posted by bpost
You should get FREE meat (1/2 a beef), including processing for your acreage now. Pasture ain't free.
Roger that. We just don't want to take advantage of the local guy. He already does a lot for us as far as watching the property and making sure the fences are mended. He's also a really good guy with a family in "not the best" financial situation.
We are just looking for the best way to raise some cows for our freezer for the next 40 years.....LOL.
Sorry, I must be a bit slow on the uptake. So this "really good guy" is using your land for free and helping you out by "watching the property" and "making sure the fences are mended." In other words he has his cows on your land, he shows up regularly to check on them, and when they knock down a fence he repairs it so they don't run away.
That he's putting one over on you is remarkable. That you are aware of what is going on and think he's actually doing you a favor is unbelieveable.
but if you feel "comfortable" about letting this
guy use your land. Let things stand.
Maybe you could take a ride up there and talk
to the farmer/rancher to see if he could fit
a couple more animals into his budget and have
them slaughtered for you.
ron
ps The cows are "sweetening" your land on the
upside.
A better way to go is buy a few Holstein deacon calves late winter every year, timing purchase with weaning date coinciding with best guess on when grass will be coming on. Butcher come fall when you run out of grass.
Tech141, I know nothing bout cows,
but if you feel "comfortable" about letting this
guy use your land. Let things stand.
Maybe you could take a ride up there and talk
to the farmer/rancher to see if he could fit
a couple more animals into his budget and have
them slaughtered for you.
ron
ps The cows are "sweetening" your land on the
upside.
I know nothing of the topic at hand, but I was thinking the same thing. For the time being see if the guy can just handle a couple extra for you.
Worked it out that 1 cow is mine , he takes care of it inclding breeding . That way I get a calf every breeding cycly. I pay the slaughter bill.
He is happy and I have beef in the freezer.
I do this with all our company lands in many states. Fair to all....
quote:Originally posted by texaswildman
quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
36. Veterinary bills
37. Putting your arm up to your shoulder in a cow to save the baby and the cow. Done it many times.
38. Also, taken you knife and cutting the sack open and removing the testicles.
39. Getting in a pen with a 2000 pound bull to load or doctor.
Current BLM rate is $1.65 per AUM (animal unit month) and pasture rent depends on the quality of the forage.
FCD, you could look a little happier ! [:)]
And magnets to run through them, when they've grubbed up old chunks of staples/nails/whatever else, and the antibiotics that go with those.
Ditto on "way of life"; used to go to a 25,000+ acre ranch in WY for prarie dogs that is a working 400+ head cattle ranch, and I learned a lot about the way of life at the breakfast and dinnet table.
Example: nearest town of 3-4 thousand is 50 miles away.
Use a Gradall to plow the 3 mile driveway and get hay to the herd in winter.
Sure, the sunsets are beautiful and the stars are amazing, but you bust your butt to be able to enjoy it.
BTW: I asked that very question that has been covered here very well: NO, they do Not slaughter their own beef , as they get more for them on the hoof selling to a feed lot, because they get paid for Every thing; hooves, ears, lips,(ever read the ingredients on Vienna sausage?)steaks, etc.
On a prarie dog trip to South Dakota trip near Kadoka at a little diner, I got a sample of Western humor , but it has the ring of truth.
Early September, mid-70's, clear blue sky, I said to the kid pouring my tea what a beautiful day it was; without missing a beat his reply was," Come back in February"
Sorry about hi-jacking the thread, but the subject brought back a lot of memories, Wish I could go back.
quote:Originally posted by bpost
You should get FREE meat (1/2 a beef), including processing for your acreage now. Pasture ain't free.
Roger that. We just don't want to take advantage of the local guy. He already does a lot for us as far as watching the property and making sure the fences are mended. He's also a really good guy with a family in "not the best" financial situation.
We are just looking for the best way to raise some cows for our freezer for the next 40 years.....LOL.
Oops! You know you're gonna get a load of crap for being a 'oush-over' don't ya? Personally, I think you'd fit in out here in Idaho.
Clouder..
quote:Originally posted by texaswildman
quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
Let's See,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
1. Pasture land,,,,,,,,,,,,,Check_
2. Hay for winter,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
3. Hay storage,,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
4. Pickup,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ Check
5. Stock trailer,,,,,,,,,,,,_ Check
6. Salt/Mineral blocks,,,,,, "_
7. Squeeze chute,,,,,,,,,,,, "_
8. Branding equipment,,,,,,, "_
9. Wire stretchers,,,,,,,,,, Check_
10. Fencing pliers,,,,,,,,,,_ Check
11. Post hole diggers,,,,,,,_ Check
12. Post driver,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ Check
13. T-posts,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ Check
14. Calf puller,,,,,,,,,,,,, "_
15. Needles/syringes,,,,,,,,_ "
16. Protein tub/supplement,, "_
17. Antibiotics,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
18. Brucellois/Vet bill,,,,,_ "
19. Available water,,,,,,,,,_ Check
20. Liability ins.,,,,,,,,,,_ "
21. Post tamper,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
22. Barbed wire,,,,,,,,,,,,, Check_
23. Hammer/staples,,,,,,,,,,_ Check
24. Suitable boots/ gloves,,_ Check
25. Truck/fuel/repairs,,,,,, Check_
26. Market fluluctuation,,,,_ "
27. Unexpected mortality,,,, "
28. Catch rope,,,,,,,,,,,,,, "
I'm missing sumptin,,,,,oh yeah, the cost of the livestock !!!!
Nice list. Got a few already....
I really appreciate the replies. You've given me some good insight and lots of stuff to ponder.
Thanks Again!
Let's See,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
1. Pasture land,,,,,,,,,,,,,Check_
2. Hay for winter,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
3. Hay storage,,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
4. Pickup,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
5. Stock trailer,,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
6. Salt/Mineral blocks,,,,,, "_
7. Squeeze chute,,,,,,,,,,,, "_
8. Branding equipment,,,,,,, "_
9. Wire stretchers,,,,,,,,,, "_
10. Fencing pliers,,,,,,,,,,_ "
11. Post hole diggers,,,,,,,_ "
12. Post driver,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
13. T-posts,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
14. Calf puller,,,,,,,,,,,,, "_
15. Needles/syringes,,,,,,,,_ "
16. Protein tub/supplement,, "_
17. Antibiotics,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
18. Brucellois/Vet bill,,,,,_ "
19. Available water,,,,,,,,,_ "
20. Liability ins.,,,,,,,,,,_ "
21. Post tamper,,,,,,,,,,,,,_ "
22. Barbed wire,,,,,,,,,,,,, "_
23. Hammer/staples,,,,,,,,,,_ "
24. Suitable boots/ gloves,,_ "
25. Truck/fuel/repairs,,,,,, "_
26. Market fluluctuation,,,,_ "
27. Unexpected mortality,,,, "
28. Catch rope,,,,,,,,,,,,,, "
I'm missing sumptin,,,,,oh yeah, the cost of the livestock !!!!
YEP
Not to mention the God awful smell![:(]
That's strikes me as odd because I like the smell of a barnyard. As long as there are no goats.
Clouder..
Things not on the list: Wind storm knocks over a cherry tree with the leaves on it at the back of your pasture so you don't notice the cherry tree is down over the fence. The next day or two you wonder why your $3,000 bull isn't with your cows. You go looking, there is your bull and one of your cows dead from eatting those cherry tree leaves.
One of those summer storms with a bunch of rain and hail come across your pasture. Because of the wind and hail a bunch of your cows huddle under a tree in the pasture. After the storm blows over you go out to check your cows. A big bunch of them are laying in a circle around that tree, deader than dirt because the tree got hit by lightning.
A large tree limb falls on your fence, crushing the fence to the ground. A couple of cows wonder out on to the road during the night and someone hits them, screwing up their car, or worse, themselves and sue you.
Been there, done a bunch of this and would not be dumb enough to do it again.
As I stated earlier, maybe a couple of deacon calves every year or two but no cows, no way in H...!