Caustic Burno
Well-known member
I have said all this at one time or other but we seem to have an influx of newbies.
So you want to raise cattle and be profitable. First learn to farm grass.
Well lets start with the cow the best cow is a Hereford type(red cow) momma as your options are endless to follow the market. You want black calf's you have Angus, Brangus, Simm buckskin calves Char red Hereford etc change your color by changing the bull. You have more options with a red cow..
Now we need to find a reputable seed stock producer if they haven't been a producer at least 10 years drive on by as they are more than likely a flash in the pan breeder.
You want to search for cattle from a similar environment you don't want to shop for cows in Canada where they have strong grass and optimum growth temperatures and haul them to South Texas where there is weak grass and hot temps and expect them to perform.
Now when you get out and start talking to this seed stock producer if he is yakkity yak epd's get in the truck and leave this is not a breed by the number business.
The reputable produce will ask what are you looking for and if he can't fill that bill he will direct you to who can.
The best buy is a 3-an-1 now you want to see this girl in the pasture if she is a BCS of 4.5 to 5 this is ok she is converting grass to milk to cash while growing another one in the oven. You want to find out if these cows are on welfare and being fed if they are these are high maintenance cows. If they can't perform on grass drive on. Second choice is Heavies you are looking for cows 5 to 7 years old as these cows know how to work.
You are looking for a cow that will give you a 6 weight calf at 205 days. This should be a moderate frame cow as she will require less feed maximizing profit. Buying 3n1's or Heavies gives you more time to search for the best bull for your operation.
Now the bull you pull up to XYZ Angus ranch you you see a a 1400 pound bull a 2000 pounder both have a 205 6 weight growth average you want the 1400 pounder he is cheaper to maintain and actually has better growth rate than the 2000 behemoth. You will market the majority of you calf's through a sale barn so you look for the animal that achieves the weight with the least input on grass.
Now the bulls are going to be from anywhere on food stamps to full blown welfare. If the breeder tells you the young man is on 5-7 pounds of ration a day he is going to slip some when you put him to work, if he is on 10 pounds or more he is going to fall, this is expounded by terrain and temperature that he has to work in.
You need to look for calving ease low birth weight bulls you can't sell dead calves. If you can you need to see the bulls progeny in the pasture shortly after birth and check the calf's body type for calving ease.
So you want to raise cattle and be profitable. First learn to farm grass.
Well lets start with the cow the best cow is a Hereford type(red cow) momma as your options are endless to follow the market. You want black calf's you have Angus, Brangus, Simm buckskin calves Char red Hereford etc change your color by changing the bull. You have more options with a red cow..
Now we need to find a reputable seed stock producer if they haven't been a producer at least 10 years drive on by as they are more than likely a flash in the pan breeder.
You want to search for cattle from a similar environment you don't want to shop for cows in Canada where they have strong grass and optimum growth temperatures and haul them to South Texas where there is weak grass and hot temps and expect them to perform.
Now when you get out and start talking to this seed stock producer if he is yakkity yak epd's get in the truck and leave this is not a breed by the number business.
The reputable produce will ask what are you looking for and if he can't fill that bill he will direct you to who can.
The best buy is a 3-an-1 now you want to see this girl in the pasture if she is a BCS of 4.5 to 5 this is ok she is converting grass to milk to cash while growing another one in the oven. You want to find out if these cows are on welfare and being fed if they are these are high maintenance cows. If they can't perform on grass drive on. Second choice is Heavies you are looking for cows 5 to 7 years old as these cows know how to work.
You are looking for a cow that will give you a 6 weight calf at 205 days. This should be a moderate frame cow as she will require less feed maximizing profit. Buying 3n1's or Heavies gives you more time to search for the best bull for your operation.
Now the bull you pull up to XYZ Angus ranch you you see a a 1400 pound bull a 2000 pounder both have a 205 6 weight growth average you want the 1400 pounder he is cheaper to maintain and actually has better growth rate than the 2000 behemoth. You will market the majority of you calf's through a sale barn so you look for the animal that achieves the weight with the least input on grass.
Now the bulls are going to be from anywhere on food stamps to full blown welfare. If the breeder tells you the young man is on 5-7 pounds of ration a day he is going to slip some when you put him to work, if he is on 10 pounds or more he is going to fall, this is expounded by terrain and temperature that he has to work in.
You need to look for calving ease low birth weight bulls you can't sell dead calves. If you can you need to see the bulls progeny in the pasture shortly after birth and check the calf's body type for calving ease.
