Central Fl Cracker
Well-known member
I am currently running 60 bred cows on 135 ac. utilizing rotational grazing. My fixed cost for the lease and fertilizing twice a year is $9,037 per year which equates to $ 150.61 per cow not including Hay , Molasses, vacination etc.
My thoughts were if I pulled the calves off their cow's at 300 lb's and pen fed them to 600 lb's I could decrease my fixed cost and also take stress off the cow's and pasture. Based on Tuesday prices I would make an additional $185 in weight gain. My question 's are as follow.
1. What would be the best and cost efficent feed to use?
2. How many lbs of feed per day per calf?
3. Should I also feed them free choice hay and how many lb's per day per calf?
4. Should I pen all of them together or seperate them in smaller pens?
5. Should the area be shaded or water mist?
The total concept is I am trying to lower my fixed cow/calf business and run more cattle. A friend of mine buys thin cows and feeds them culled tomatoes and pasture grass. I do have access to free citris pulp in the Fall through early spring.
My thoughts were if I pulled the calves off their cow's at 300 lb's and pen fed them to 600 lb's I could decrease my fixed cost and also take stress off the cow's and pasture. Based on Tuesday prices I would make an additional $185 in weight gain. My question 's are as follow.
1. What would be the best and cost efficent feed to use?
2. How many lbs of feed per day per calf?
3. Should I also feed them free choice hay and how many lb's per day per calf?
4. Should I pen all of them together or seperate them in smaller pens?
5. Should the area be shaded or water mist?
The total concept is I am trying to lower my fixed cow/calf business and run more cattle. A friend of mine buys thin cows and feeds them culled tomatoes and pasture grass. I do have access to free citris pulp in the Fall through early spring.