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New rancher, any help or advice?
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<blockquote data-quote="farmerjan" data-source="post: 1597727" data-attributes="member: 25884"><p>Have to agree with most all advice. DO NOT START with heifers if you are not experienced in cattle. You need to start with some older, experienced cows that know what to do, and will hopefully drop a calf with no "muss or fuss". Actually, why not start with some steers to feed out, say in the 6-700 lb range, that are weaned and eating grass and get them on pasture. Make sure that you really want to deal with things like possible pinkeye, some possible respiratory problems, feet or leg problems. All cattle are subject to these things on occasion. Jeanne is right about having somewhere to work them... a head catch where they cannot get away from you if they get sick or hurt and need a vet, or just shots or something. At least some feeders will not also have the complication of calving. </p><p>NOT trying to talk you out of it. But, get some experience in feeding, watching cattle to learn their habits and to see when they have a problem. And to make sure that you really want this. Some people really want to get into it and then find out that it is alot of work.....for little or no money. That is fact. Prices are not great, a calf at 500 lbs off a cow will barely pay for the cost of keeping that cow for the year. So you are working for little or no pay, you have to really like it. </p><p>Steers will be there and can be sold easier than a cow/calf pair usually. You also will not make much money, there is alot of manipulation by the big packing companies and it trickles down to the feeders too. But you can get some in early spring, run them on grass and sell in late fall if need be and not have to winter them or buy hay or feed through the cold winter months.</p><p></p><p>All cattle are subject to things like respiratory problems, feet problems, pinkeye has been rampant here in Va this year in our area. </p><p>I agree that maybe you really need to talk to Kenny Thomas. It sounds like he is close, he has been buying and selling and running all sorts of different types/ages/breeds and knows the ins and outs. Also has given some very good advise to many of us over the years. I think he would help you, steer you in the right direction, and not screw you over. A "newbie" or a "wanna be farmer" is a prime target for some dealers, and you won't know what you are getting because you just don't have the experience yet to know. </p><p>Maybe find someone close that you know, and get along with, and rent/lease or go into some sort of a partnership/apprentice thing so you can learn? Find someone that wants to rent and ask to have a few head of your own in the deal, labor in exchange for their feed/ and your gaining experience, or just plain out ask to work for/help out with the person renting in return for getting some experience, no pay but experience. Then you can get a feel for cattle and it is their dime you are learning on.....</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="farmerjan, post: 1597727, member: 25884"] Have to agree with most all advice. DO NOT START with heifers if you are not experienced in cattle. You need to start with some older, experienced cows that know what to do, and will hopefully drop a calf with no "muss or fuss". Actually, why not start with some steers to feed out, say in the 6-700 lb range, that are weaned and eating grass and get them on pasture. Make sure that you really want to deal with things like possible pinkeye, some possible respiratory problems, feet or leg problems. All cattle are subject to these things on occasion. Jeanne is right about having somewhere to work them... a head catch where they cannot get away from you if they get sick or hurt and need a vet, or just shots or something. At least some feeders will not also have the complication of calving. NOT trying to talk you out of it. But, get some experience in feeding, watching cattle to learn their habits and to see when they have a problem. And to make sure that you really want this. Some people really want to get into it and then find out that it is alot of work.....for little or no money. That is fact. Prices are not great, a calf at 500 lbs off a cow will barely pay for the cost of keeping that cow for the year. So you are working for little or no pay, you have to really like it. Steers will be there and can be sold easier than a cow/calf pair usually. You also will not make much money, there is alot of manipulation by the big packing companies and it trickles down to the feeders too. But you can get some in early spring, run them on grass and sell in late fall if need be and not have to winter them or buy hay or feed through the cold winter months. All cattle are subject to things like respiratory problems, feet problems, pinkeye has been rampant here in Va this year in our area. I agree that maybe you really need to talk to Kenny Thomas. It sounds like he is close, he has been buying and selling and running all sorts of different types/ages/breeds and knows the ins and outs. Also has given some very good advise to many of us over the years. I think he would help you, steer you in the right direction, and not screw you over. A "newbie" or a "wanna be farmer" is a prime target for some dealers, and you won't know what you are getting because you just don't have the experience yet to know. Maybe find someone close that you know, and get along with, and rent/lease or go into some sort of a partnership/apprentice thing so you can learn? Find someone that wants to rent and ask to have a few head of your own in the deal, labor in exchange for their feed/ and your gaining experience, or just plain out ask to work for/help out with the person renting in return for getting some experience, no pay but experience. Then you can get a feel for cattle and it is their dime you are learning on..... [/QUOTE]
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