Bama
Well-known member
I've been lurking for a few weeks and have posted a time or two. I wanted to get to know the ropes before really introducing myself. I have read through most all of the beginners threads and think I know most of you that been around cattle for a while. Some are young here that know a lot about cattle. I'm impressed how the experienced ones pass on knowledge to beginners. Someone new to raising cattle can get sound advice here. I fit in somewhere in the middle. I'm not a old experienced cowhand. I do feel old sometime though. I have been around cattle for about 35 years. As a young lad I had all the chores to do that comes along with cattle. Later I mostly helped my parents out. As my parents got older I did more of the chores for them. My dad passed away a few years back and my mom has decided its time quit the cattle business. I built a house on some of the same land we ran cattle on years ago. Now my moms herd is down to about 30 from a max of about 150 in years past. She said she just didn't like seeing that land go to waste without something running on it. Thats when I got into it again. I guess its more out of respect than anything. I make a little but I don't really care as much about the profits as I do the satisfaction of carrying on a tradition. I'm more of a hobbie farmer. I want to make a little profit but I make far better at my dayjob working for a major manufactur as a maintenance man. The farming background helped me land a good job and I feel like I owe it to myself to keep at it. I'm now 41 and currently have only have 15 head. I do more of a stocker operation. I'm like everone else, I'm waiting to see what this border thing is gonna do. As my mom gets out of the business I plan to get in deeper. When I retire from my dayjob I expect to enjoy the farming l did as a kid.
Some of those old post were tempting to post to and bring back into discussion. I think I'll just reply to some of the most memorable ones here.
1) Feed what is cheapest in your area. If it is not abundant in your area don't bother with it.
2) 1 cow and 1 calf per acre works here. Don't try this in most places. To know how many to stock per acre talk to someone local to your area.
3) I won't use mycotil. Ain't no cow worth the risk to myself.
4) If a cow has been down awhile, long birth, sick for a few days, stuff coming out in places that it aint supposed to, etc... yes call the Vet.
5) Cattle bought at aution are at risk, always isolate and vaccinate.
6) Any cow that jumps fences, bad temper, not a good mother, hard to catch etc... should grow wheels.
7) Spray weeds in early growth stages
8) A tractor is a must for a large operation. ATV's are handy on any operation.
9) All operations are differant. If I works for you it is the right thing to do.
10) All cows are the same color on the inside.
11) Cows have 2 purposes on earth. Milk and beef. They can make pets but are more expensive than dogs.
12) I make about $75 to $125 per head. If you plan to get rich, I warned you so don't be dissapointed.
And one for the jokes board
Do you know why it's called P.M.S.?
Mad Cow Disease was taken!
I have been around cattle for quite a few years, but I have learned a lot from the way people do things in differant parts of the country. I enjoy reading this board and look forward to discussions in the future.
BAMA
Some of those old post were tempting to post to and bring back into discussion. I think I'll just reply to some of the most memorable ones here.
1) Feed what is cheapest in your area. If it is not abundant in your area don't bother with it.
2) 1 cow and 1 calf per acre works here. Don't try this in most places. To know how many to stock per acre talk to someone local to your area.
3) I won't use mycotil. Ain't no cow worth the risk to myself.
4) If a cow has been down awhile, long birth, sick for a few days, stuff coming out in places that it aint supposed to, etc... yes call the Vet.
5) Cattle bought at aution are at risk, always isolate and vaccinate.
6) Any cow that jumps fences, bad temper, not a good mother, hard to catch etc... should grow wheels.
7) Spray weeds in early growth stages
8) A tractor is a must for a large operation. ATV's are handy on any operation.
9) All operations are differant. If I works for you it is the right thing to do.
10) All cows are the same color on the inside.
11) Cows have 2 purposes on earth. Milk and beef. They can make pets but are more expensive than dogs.
12) I make about $75 to $125 per head. If you plan to get rich, I warned you so don't be dissapointed.
And one for the jokes board
Do you know why it's called P.M.S.?
Mad Cow Disease was taken!
I have been around cattle for quite a few years, but I have learned a lot from the way people do things in differant parts of the country. I enjoy reading this board and look forward to discussions in the future.
BAMA
Look forward to your input on this board.
