Rainbow Valley Cattle Co
Member
Been lurking here for almost 2 years and I thought it was time to jump in.
I am JB Moore and I am one of the founding members of the
Rainbow Valley Cattle Co in New Hampshire.
Rainbow Valley is a very diverse, creative, forage based multiple breed operation.
Leased land is shared with 6 other beef producers. We share in all the tasks needed to keep the growing herd safe and healthy. There are monthly family pot luck get togethers where we make lists of what needs to be done and who is going to lead those tasks.
We all have used equipment that we combine to do the needed haying and logging. When we needed a baler we all pitched in and bought a used one. Much more affordable divided by 6. None of us would of been able to lease this property or afford to do the fencing, haying, building repairs etc, alone.
Open land is hard to find in NH as most of it is forested. This huge piece of acerage is on the river side of the state and it has alot of fertile bottomland in this lush valley. Having lots of mountain streams that run year round throughout the property is also a big asset, especially 2 years ago in the drought.
I have 3 months off during the summer so I park my little trailer in the field and camp out with the herd most weeks. Only one building has electricity and I am currently borrowing another cattlemans laptop computer to get a lot of work done.
For extra income we also board cattle for the summer months and we are also considering doing some shares in the near future since we have been approached by a very interested individual. We also "rent" some cows and calves out for the summer to people who want their fields to be grazed down, as well as for "cow patty contests." We have recently gained alot of interest in raising water buffalo replacement heifers for the unusual water buffalo dairy in Vermont. Meat goats are also being considered on a larger scale since they seem to be a very high value item. All monies made on our "side projects" are put into the general farm fund for repairs, equipment, etc and it is working out very very well. We have each already been reimbursed for the baler we bought, most of the fencing and one vet bill.
The 6 of us and our 6 large families all come from different backgrounds, different states and different countries. We all met at the grain store and at various cattle events over the years. This is a very diverse group of ideas, colors and management practices.
Our weaned calves, heifers and steers are all sold privately.
Since we raise all natural grass fed beef, demand is now higher than our supply.
Several of our cull cows were also sold privately and ground into hamburg for large families. We rarely ship anything, however we do love to go to the auctions and look at cattle and chat with everyone. Our quality cattle are every color, combo and breed. Since most of our kids are in FFA or 4 H we give generous discounts to kids in those organizations who buy calves from us. Word is spreading like wildfire.
Seeing all the probable start up costs from the most recent posters inspired me to officially join so I could explain another way of being in the cattle business without losing your a$$.
Oh yes, I have always enjoyed seeing the pictures of various cattle, inventions and equipment that folks post here. It is what makes the conversations even more exciting. When my very helpful cattle neighbor "across the river" ( VT ) shows me how to use a digital camera, I will be posting some photos from this part of the world. Have a safe and glorious July 4th weekend.
I am JB Moore and I am one of the founding members of the
Rainbow Valley Cattle Co in New Hampshire.
Rainbow Valley is a very diverse, creative, forage based multiple breed operation.
Leased land is shared with 6 other beef producers. We share in all the tasks needed to keep the growing herd safe and healthy. There are monthly family pot luck get togethers where we make lists of what needs to be done and who is going to lead those tasks.
We all have used equipment that we combine to do the needed haying and logging. When we needed a baler we all pitched in and bought a used one. Much more affordable divided by 6. None of us would of been able to lease this property or afford to do the fencing, haying, building repairs etc, alone.
Open land is hard to find in NH as most of it is forested. This huge piece of acerage is on the river side of the state and it has alot of fertile bottomland in this lush valley. Having lots of mountain streams that run year round throughout the property is also a big asset, especially 2 years ago in the drought.
I have 3 months off during the summer so I park my little trailer in the field and camp out with the herd most weeks. Only one building has electricity and I am currently borrowing another cattlemans laptop computer to get a lot of work done.
For extra income we also board cattle for the summer months and we are also considering doing some shares in the near future since we have been approached by a very interested individual. We also "rent" some cows and calves out for the summer to people who want their fields to be grazed down, as well as for "cow patty contests." We have recently gained alot of interest in raising water buffalo replacement heifers for the unusual water buffalo dairy in Vermont. Meat goats are also being considered on a larger scale since they seem to be a very high value item. All monies made on our "side projects" are put into the general farm fund for repairs, equipment, etc and it is working out very very well. We have each already been reimbursed for the baler we bought, most of the fencing and one vet bill.
The 6 of us and our 6 large families all come from different backgrounds, different states and different countries. We all met at the grain store and at various cattle events over the years. This is a very diverse group of ideas, colors and management practices.
Our weaned calves, heifers and steers are all sold privately.
Since we raise all natural grass fed beef, demand is now higher than our supply.
Several of our cull cows were also sold privately and ground into hamburg for large families. We rarely ship anything, however we do love to go to the auctions and look at cattle and chat with everyone. Our quality cattle are every color, combo and breed. Since most of our kids are in FFA or 4 H we give generous discounts to kids in those organizations who buy calves from us. Word is spreading like wildfire.
Seeing all the probable start up costs from the most recent posters inspired me to officially join so I could explain another way of being in the cattle business without losing your a$$.
Oh yes, I have always enjoyed seeing the pictures of various cattle, inventions and equipment that folks post here. It is what makes the conversations even more exciting. When my very helpful cattle neighbor "across the river" ( VT ) shows me how to use a digital camera, I will be posting some photos from this part of the world. Have a safe and glorious July 4th weekend.
