Menu
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New profile posts
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Forums
Cattle Boards
Beginners Board
Getting started - breeds
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Help Support CattleToday:
Message
<blockquote data-quote="John SD" data-source="post: 1251280" data-attributes="member: 14713"><p>IMO the cow/calf deal would be a excellent way for you to enter the business. Specifically, buy older but structurally sound bred cows who have proven themselves over the years, but are getting some age on them. Don't buy an obviously crazy cow or those with a bad attitude. There are a lot of good ol' mamas being culled every year from larger herds just because the older cows just can no longer compete with younger cows in range conditions.</p><p></p><p> Older "broken mouth" cows who are otherwise still structually sound will work well in a small operation where you can give them a little extra TLC, and they don't have to compete with younger cows in larger herds. Good older cows can do the job on their own when you give them the opportunity. They most likely will calve on their own without assistance, where a first calf heifer is anybody's guess. All a sound older cows need from you is the basics of feed, water, and winter protection, and let her do her job. </p><p></p><p>When looking for older cows you have to pay special attention to their udders, eyes, feet and hips. Don't buy any cow with a defect that will become worse or incapacitating. The cows can be "broken mouth" or perhaps "gummers" with not a tooth in their head. But they have to be decent condition otherwise and maybe can stick around to get 2-3 calves before they must go down the road to the slaughter plant. By that time they should have produced some good steers to butcher, and heifers ready to come online for you as 2-yr old replacments :idea:</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="John SD, post: 1251280, member: 14713"] IMO the cow/calf deal would be a excellent way for you to enter the business. Specifically, buy older but structurally sound bred cows who have proven themselves over the years, but are getting some age on them. Don't buy an obviously crazy cow or those with a bad attitude. There are a lot of good ol' mamas being culled every year from larger herds just because the older cows just can no longer compete with younger cows in range conditions. Older "broken mouth" cows who are otherwise still structually sound will work well in a small operation where you can give them a little extra TLC, and they don't have to compete with younger cows in larger herds. Good older cows can do the job on their own when you give them the opportunity. They most likely will calve on their own without assistance, where a first calf heifer is anybody's guess. All a sound older cows need from you is the basics of feed, water, and winter protection, and let her do her job. When looking for older cows you have to pay special attention to their udders, eyes, feet and hips. Don't buy any cow with a defect that will become worse or incapacitating. The cows can be "broken mouth" or perhaps "gummers" with not a tooth in their head. But they have to be decent condition otherwise and maybe can stick around to get 2-3 calves before they must go down the road to the slaughter plant. By that time they should have produced some good steers to butcher, and heifers ready to come online for you as 2-yr old replacments :idea: [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Cattle Boards
Beginners Board
Getting started - breeds
Top