oakrunfarm
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- Joined
- Apr 6, 2009
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Good morning.
We're in the last stages of planning for our first cattle purchase, and I have a few questions. This is such a great resource - especially for those of us just getting our feet wet!
We've got about 20 acres - 80% in good lush pasture, and the other 20% in woods and a small pond. I am wondering how many cattle per acre (Belted Galloways) if we are not planning on much grain supplementation. At this point, we are planning on no more than 4-6, but I wanted to make sure that is realistic.
75% of the fencing is very hefty new 4 board wood close to 5' tall with 1.5" to 1.75" x 6" boards on 4" x 4" square posts and 25% is no-climb Vee wire. Do we need a hot wire about midway down on the wood and on the top of the wire fencing?
We live in North Carolina, and so I am thinking we don't really need a shelter, but should be more concerned about keeping them cool enough (shade, etc.) Is that the case? (We can bring them into the horse barn in an emergency.) We have trees in all of the pastures.
We had originally decided to start with two recently-weaned heifer calves to gentle and halter-break since we have not had cattle before. (We have been breeding/showing Quarter horses for 20+ years.) BUT, someone else suggested a 3 in 1 package, and then we would not have to deal with a first-time calving, and getting one bred back right off the bat. Thoughts on this?
If we do decide we want to start out with a 3 in 1, is it possible to safely wean the calf if we do not have any other cattle? Do you think getting at least one other calf or cow to keep the weanling company would be a better choice?
Does it help to train them to go into the headgate/facility more readily if you give them a route through the open headgate and into an enclosed area where they are grained? (I am a little fuzzy on how to train them to get them to go where you want them to - especially in order to do vet work/AI/maintenance.)
I know these are a lot of questions, and any help at all is most appreciated.
Thanks!
We're in the last stages of planning for our first cattle purchase, and I have a few questions. This is such a great resource - especially for those of us just getting our feet wet!
We've got about 20 acres - 80% in good lush pasture, and the other 20% in woods and a small pond. I am wondering how many cattle per acre (Belted Galloways) if we are not planning on much grain supplementation. At this point, we are planning on no more than 4-6, but I wanted to make sure that is realistic.
75% of the fencing is very hefty new 4 board wood close to 5' tall with 1.5" to 1.75" x 6" boards on 4" x 4" square posts and 25% is no-climb Vee wire. Do we need a hot wire about midway down on the wood and on the top of the wire fencing?
We live in North Carolina, and so I am thinking we don't really need a shelter, but should be more concerned about keeping them cool enough (shade, etc.) Is that the case? (We can bring them into the horse barn in an emergency.) We have trees in all of the pastures.
We had originally decided to start with two recently-weaned heifer calves to gentle and halter-break since we have not had cattle before. (We have been breeding/showing Quarter horses for 20+ years.) BUT, someone else suggested a 3 in 1 package, and then we would not have to deal with a first-time calving, and getting one bred back right off the bat. Thoughts on this?
If we do decide we want to start out with a 3 in 1, is it possible to safely wean the calf if we do not have any other cattle? Do you think getting at least one other calf or cow to keep the weanling company would be a better choice?
Does it help to train them to go into the headgate/facility more readily if you give them a route through the open headgate and into an enclosed area where they are grained? (I am a little fuzzy on how to train them to get them to go where you want them to - especially in order to do vet work/AI/maintenance.)
I know these are a lot of questions, and any help at all is most appreciated.
Thanks!