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Getting into cattle farming in North Carolina
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<blockquote data-quote="Hitch" data-source="post: 462097" data-attributes="member: 6106"><p>As others have suggested, first make sure you have enough quality pasture and water right now. The drought is hurting some good people that otherwise would probably be doing pretty well. Keep a mid to long range sense of business vision at all times. Figure out what breed sells best in your area. Excellent fencing, obviously before the first cow arrives, is a very high priority so do it right the firs time around. AI may be your best bet as compared to buying or running a bull on a small operation. You can buy superior genes through a good AI program and the costs are reasonable all things considered. Do not run more cattle/acre than the pasture can cope with during the late summer grazing season. Ask your extension agent for an opinion after you figure out which breed you are going to run. Buy/budget for of quality grass/legume mix hay required for proper supplemental late summer and winter feeding. You can raise good beef on grass alone but do not count on it. Think about what the specific costs of grain/concentrate supplement would add to your operation. What is good hay selling for? How much hay do you need to buy? Can you even find good hay? Factor in vaccination costs. Although beef cattle needs are modest, what are your plans for shelter from wind and cold rain? Exactly what kind of market is there for small operators in your area? Start small, manage start up costs, do not try to start too big or grow too fast. Partner up so-to-speak with someone that has been successful for a while. Do not look for quick cash returns even if you are doing everything seemingly right. Try to keep your operation grass based. Think about Dexters, Low Line Angus, or miniature Herefords for small operations. The smaller breeds stress the land less, produce good beef, have good dispositions, handle well, and may cost less for feed and upkeep. Also, you can have "more" cows on the same pasture as each animal eats less than their full sized cousins. Good luck, work and study hard, and have some fun.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Hitch, post: 462097, member: 6106"] As others have suggested, first make sure you have enough quality pasture and water right now. The drought is hurting some good people that otherwise would probably be doing pretty well. Keep a mid to long range sense of business vision at all times. Figure out what breed sells best in your area. Excellent fencing, obviously before the first cow arrives, is a very high priority so do it right the firs time around. AI may be your best bet as compared to buying or running a bull on a small operation. You can buy superior genes through a good AI program and the costs are reasonable all things considered. Do not run more cattle/acre than the pasture can cope with during the late summer grazing season. Ask your extension agent for an opinion after you figure out which breed you are going to run. Buy/budget for of quality grass/legume mix hay required for proper supplemental late summer and winter feeding. You can raise good beef on grass alone but do not count on it. Think about what the specific costs of grain/concentrate supplement would add to your operation. What is good hay selling for? How much hay do you need to buy? Can you even find good hay? Factor in vaccination costs. Although beef cattle needs are modest, what are your plans for shelter from wind and cold rain? Exactly what kind of market is there for small operators in your area? Start small, manage start up costs, do not try to start too big or grow too fast. Partner up so-to-speak with someone that has been successful for a while. Do not look for quick cash returns even if you are doing everything seemingly right. Try to keep your operation grass based. Think about Dexters, Low Line Angus, or miniature Herefords for small operations. The smaller breeds stress the land less, produce good beef, have good dispositions, handle well, and may cost less for feed and upkeep. Also, you can have "more" cows on the same pasture as each animal eats less than their full sized cousins. Good luck, work and study hard, and have some fun. [/QUOTE]
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