Craigslist cattle

I had a few buffalo at our place to work horses on. They're pretty good for that but come with a few issues in keeping them. Number one you better have a pretty good pen to keep them in and an arena equally as stout, especially at first because they will test an enclosure when they are new. #2 if they get out you can have a heck of a time getting them back up so you better be really diligent about hoping you can train them to come to feed. #3 I wouldn't count on your cow dog being able to get them back up for you. They will go after a dog and they aint playing. #4 you will be very happy the day you find someone to buy them and haul them away
 
I was at the National Western Stock Show in Denver many years ago. There were some guys there working some buffalo through a very heavy duty chute system. With a hinged "crash cage" on the outlet of the head catch to keep them from charging through. Then a little accident. The guy at the head catch received a head injury and was off to the hospital - head covered in blood. No buffalo for me.
 
I was at the National Western Stock Show in Denver many years ago. There were some guys there working some buffalo through a very heavy duty chute system. With a hinged "crash cage" on the outlet of the head catch to keep them from charging through. Then a little accident. The guy at the head catch received a head injury and was off to the hospital - head covered in blood. No buffalo for me.
once you own some you will learn (if you havent been told or worked around them before), that these are not just wooly cows, especially in an enclosure where escape routes are limited for either you or them
 
You're going to see them out your living room window if the the recently turned out reservation buffs decide to go check out the farm ground.
I won't see them from the farm. There have been some guys that had leases that lost them to the bison. I hope they stay on the Reservation; I don't if the tribes have done anything with the fences, not that a fence would stop a big bull if he has the desire to find new territory.
 
If the weights are right, they ain't far off from what I've been seeing here lately....

The heifer ain't worth 1000. But the steer will bring more maybe
I'm up in New Hampshire and you can't get near a young heifer for less than $1200, and it doesn't matter the breed. People are getting $2500-$2800 for bred heifers. That being said, we aren't in prime cattle country up here, but prices have skyrocketed over the past year. Even at auction, jersey/Angus cross bottle calf were bringing $800/head just in November. $1000 a piece isn't all that bad of a price really.
 
I'm up in New Hampshire and you can't get near a young heifer for less than $1200, and it doesn't matter the breed. People are getting $2500-$2800 for bred heifers. That being said, we aren't in prime cattle country up here, but prices have skyrocketed over the past year. Even at auction, jersey/Angus cross bottle calf were bringing $800/head just in November. $1000 a piece isn't all that bad of a price really.
Especially since that post was 2 years ago! They're worth that now for sure

🤣
 
I won't see them from the farm. There have been some guys that had leases that lost them to the bison. I hope they stay on the Reservation; I don't if the tribes have done anything with the fences, not that a fence would stop a big bull if he has the desire to find new territory.
Yah I was just kidding. I thought they turned them out over by Ethete and Fort Washakie. I have relatives who have or had tribal grazing leases. Don't know whether they still do.
 
I had a few buffalo at our place to work horses on. They're pretty good for that but come with a few issues in keeping them. Number one you better have a pretty good pen to keep them in and an arena equally as stout, especially at first because they will test an enclosure when they are new. #2 if they get out you can have a heck of a time getting them back up so you better be really diligent about hoping you can train them to come to feed. #3 I wouldn't count on your cow dog being able to get them back up for you. They will go after a dog and they aint playing. #4 you will be very happy the day you find someone to buy them and haul them away
My mate had two bison steers for training his camp drafting horses, they were OK but quickly learnt where they had to go so not much of a challenge for training the horse. He has 3 daughters and one of the bison took a dislike to the middle daughter and whenever Hanna rode into the arena, it didn't matter which horse she was on it came after her, got a bit dangerous. He got rid of them, he has water buffalo now and they are doing a good job.

Ken
 
My mate had two bison steers for training his camp drafting horses, they were OK but quickly learnt where they had to go so not much of a challenge for training the horse. He has 3 daughters and one of the bison took a dislike to the middle daughter and whenever Hanna rode into the arena, it didn't matter which horse she was on it came after her, got a bit dangerous. He got rid of them, he has water buffalo now and they are doing a good job.

Ken
interesting what we find to play with. i had a small herd of longhorns that i got rid of a few years ago. mostly gentle but horns were dangerous at feed time. tried a few watusi. still have two watusi left that i bought about ten years ago.. one is my lead cow and eats out of my hand. the other..................... doesn't let me near her calf. once when trying to tie a calf she came after me. not only was it not her calf she did not even have a calf at that time. extremely protective.
 
My mate had two bison steers for training his camp drafting horses, they were OK but quickly learnt where they had to go so not much of a challenge for training the horse. He has 3 daughters and one of the bison took a dislike to the middle daughter and whenever Hanna rode into the arena, it didn't matter which horse she was on it came after her, got a bit dangerous. He got rid of them, he has water buffalo now and they are doing a good job.

Ken
we don't have many water buffalo in the states and I've never worked one. Some of the trainers are having a lot of luck by training an older ster with a surcingle on them which is hooked up like a dog collar to stimulate movement. It doesn't take too long for the steer to realize just standing there and sulling up doesn't work anymore so they become good animals to train a horse with
 
once you own some you will learn (if you havent been told or worked around them before), that these are not just wooly cows, especially in an enclosure where escape routes are limited for either you or them
Neighbor here had 120 bison cows for a few years before BSE came along and broke him. I went to help work them twice in a really nice system. They reminded me of 1200 lb sheep that would kill you if opportunity came. The other thing observed was how soft their eyes are while in the squeeze.
 
Land Between the Lakes here in middle TN sell bison every year. They have a herd in the park for visitors and sell extras at auction.

Nice to see, not own...
 

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