IluvABbeef
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I've been doing a fair bit of thinking on my future cow-calf herd, and came up with a few things that I have a gut feeling WILL work.
For one, I'm thinking of going with Herefords and Shorthorns. I might have to think of going with black baldies if things don't workout, just as something to fall back on. Reason I'm going with these two are because of the posts and websites I've read that repute them to be easy-calvers, have good dispositions, are darned good mothers, require low maintenance, and throw good calves that hit the ground growing. AND, a couple neighbors that are within a couple-of-miles radius have registered Herefords and Shorthorns (I mean one neighbor has herfs and the other shorties) that have been around for as long as my parents can remember.
My uncle started up a cow-calf herd of his own with only a few animals (about half a dozen) and expanded his herd to around 60 animals. I think I was told he has a couple of bulls of his own and doesn't do AI, but even then that size keeps him busy all the time. And he's a commercial producer.
Reason I mention him is b/c I plan on starting out similarly. I'll have to ask him a few things myself sometime (next time I see him) just to get some more ideas and thoughts flowing.
I'm going commercial. Registered, from what other folks have asked on here and from what I've read and learned, is HARD work. Sure it pays off in the end, but for cow-calf-beginner like me, I don't think it would be the best path to go. ESPECIALLY when I don't have any of my own family members that are registered producers. I'd rather cut the red tape and sell my calves at a local auction every Saturday or Tuesday or whenever. As 18 month old steers/feeder heifers or weaned feeder calves are what I still have to decide on. (might be easier to sell as weaned feeders...)
AI's probably going to be for the first few years or so until my herd's large enough (and I've gained enough experience) that I can have a bull in with the herd. AI won't be all that hard, just a matter of practicing and going to a good AI class.
The land won't be anything to worry about, because that's something I'm very familiar with.
Don't worry, I have my priorities still set, but this is still in the back of my mind and developing as I go. This board has been VERY helpful, and I'm glad I've been on here when I have.
SO, with all that (sorry it ended up a little long), any comments? Questions? Opinions? Reccommendations? Constructive criticisms? let me know...
thanks.
For one, I'm thinking of going with Herefords and Shorthorns. I might have to think of going with black baldies if things don't workout, just as something to fall back on. Reason I'm going with these two are because of the posts and websites I've read that repute them to be easy-calvers, have good dispositions, are darned good mothers, require low maintenance, and throw good calves that hit the ground growing. AND, a couple neighbors that are within a couple-of-miles radius have registered Herefords and Shorthorns (I mean one neighbor has herfs and the other shorties) that have been around for as long as my parents can remember.
My uncle started up a cow-calf herd of his own with only a few animals (about half a dozen) and expanded his herd to around 60 animals. I think I was told he has a couple of bulls of his own and doesn't do AI, but even then that size keeps him busy all the time. And he's a commercial producer.
Reason I mention him is b/c I plan on starting out similarly. I'll have to ask him a few things myself sometime (next time I see him) just to get some more ideas and thoughts flowing.
I'm going commercial. Registered, from what other folks have asked on here and from what I've read and learned, is HARD work. Sure it pays off in the end, but for cow-calf-beginner like me, I don't think it would be the best path to go. ESPECIALLY when I don't have any of my own family members that are registered producers. I'd rather cut the red tape and sell my calves at a local auction every Saturday or Tuesday or whenever. As 18 month old steers/feeder heifers or weaned feeder calves are what I still have to decide on. (might be easier to sell as weaned feeders...)
AI's probably going to be for the first few years or so until my herd's large enough (and I've gained enough experience) that I can have a bull in with the herd. AI won't be all that hard, just a matter of practicing and going to a good AI class.
The land won't be anything to worry about, because that's something I'm very familiar with.
Don't worry, I have my priorities still set, but this is still in the back of my mind and developing as I go. This board has been VERY helpful, and I'm glad I've been on here when I have.
SO, with all that (sorry it ended up a little long), any comments? Questions? Opinions? Reccommendations? Constructive criticisms? let me know...
thanks.