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RotAcres

New member
Joined
Dec 28, 2024
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Location
Johnston, SC
Hello everyone!
I am 27, a 1st generation rancher (or at least in the making), and I just purchased *my first ever home* sitting on 5 acres in the middle of SC peach country.

I purchased my land with the intent of buying cattle, and collecting my. future bulls for profit.
Is this a realistic career goal? How do I pick the perfect bull? Biggest question, how do I start?
Side note, I understand that I will be OOP in the beginning process, and profit will come after the work I put into my cattle/bulls, I just don't know where to start.

I have a strong passion for livestock, cattle - homesteading. I grew up with horses, I rode for a few years. I have already made friends with the local cattle, the owners own them for game, so they weren't able to give me advice on where to start with my own cattle farm.

All this to say, I have worked so hard to get here and I need some advice from you all. Any advice, mentors, books, reddit holes, or starting points would be immensely appreciated.

Thank you for reading this far, I look forward to connecting with you all and Happy New Year!
- Aurora
 
Hello everyone!
I am 27, a 1st generation rancher (or at least in the making), and I just purchased *my first ever home* sitting on 5 acres in the middle of SC peach country.

I purchased my land with the intent of buying cattle, and collecting my. future bulls for profit.
Is this a realistic career goal? How do I pick the perfect bull? Biggest question, how do I start?
Side note, I understand that I will be OOP in the beginning process, and profit will come after the work I put into my cattle/bulls, I just don't know where to start.

I have a strong passion for livestock, cattle - homesteading. I grew up with horses, I rode for a few years. I have already made friends with the local cattle, the owners own them for game, so they weren't able to give me advice on where to start with my own cattle farm.

All this to say, I have worked so hard to get here and I need some advice from you all. Any advice, mentors, books, reddit holes, or starting points would be immensely appreciated.

Thank you for reading this far, I look forward to connecting with you all and Happy New Year!
- Aurora
Welcome to CT!
Most big money bulls stay in studs most of their lives so your property size isn't a huge concern.
What you better have is Large disposable income. Buying bulls that will make you rich is a high dollar high risk investment.

SAV America selling
 
Thanks for responding! I took a look at the video you attached.
For me to start collecting bull sperm for profit, is it necessary to purchase a bull at that cost?
 
Thanks for responding! I took a look at the video you attached.
For me to start collecting bull sperm for profit, is it necessary to purchase a bull at that cost?
Not necessarily that high, but there aren't a lot of $10,000 bulls in studs.

Look at semen catalogs; ABS, Slect Sires, etc. Look at the angus bulls, then you should be able to look up what they sold for. You will start to see a pattern. The same few big names attached to a lot of bulls.
 
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There have been a lot of posts like this recently. New member, no cattle or farm background, new dream of life in the country and seeking advice.

Are you a real person and serious about this? How did you decide on South Carolina and a 5 acre homestead? That's pretty small for any serious cattle endeavor. Where in SC are you located? Cattle area with large animal vets available? Got room for a collection facility?

I think the secret of semen sales is having high quality proven bulls with a large demand for their semen. High volume required to make much money. Only a very, very, very few bulls have really high volume sales. Do you have any experience with semen collection, semen marketing, epds, cattle evaluations, semen collection standards and certifications? Lot's to know and learn. What breed of bulls you plan to have. Them black angus bulls are most popular by $ of semen sold, but that means more competition. Some bulls will not produce semen that can be frozen and then thawed and have acceptable semen quality. Spend high $$$ on a bull and end up with a natural service bull only - probably not profitable. Certainly some risk.

If you investigate all that and feel like you are ready to get started, then you might look into who sells the high dollar bulls for your breed and go to their bull sale. They will generally have one or two of those sales every year. Find the sale manager and let him know you have money to spend and need help in selecting a top bull for semen sales. He will take care of the rest except for the check for the bull. Now obviously, I am joking.

I have heard this story before. There were some good ole country boys from the state of Alabama in the early 80's that came to SC to pursue their dream of making music. They had some success, but wanted to own some cows. They went to the big cattle show in Louisville, KY where the biggest and the best were on display. Had crowds wanting to show them around and everyone wanted to sell then a bull. Randy and Teddy tell the story that everyone wants to help out those just getting started and that it is pretty easy to buy a $50k bull when you have that level of help. After the purchase, assistance drops off sometimes.

Probably better to look at another aspect of cattle business than semen collection and sales. I think that is too specialized for starting out.
 
Hello everyone!
I am 27, a 1st generation rancher (or at least in the making), and I just purchased *my first ever home* sitting on 5 acres in the middle of SC peach country.

I purchased my land with the intent of buying cattle, and collecting my. future bulls for profit.
Is this a realistic career goal? How do I pick the perfect bull? Biggest question, how do I start?
Side note, I understand that I will be OOP in the beginning process, and profit will come after the work I put into my cattle/bulls, I just don't know where to start.

I have a strong passion for livestock, cattle - homesteading. I grew up with horses, I rode for a few years. I have already made friends with the local cattle, the owners own them for game, so they weren't able to give me advice on where to start with my own cattle farm.

All this to say, I have worked so hard to get here and I need some advice from you all. Any advice, mentors, books, reddit holes, or starting points would be immensely appreciated.

Thank you for reading this far, I look forward to connecting with you all and Happy New Year!
- Aurora
First thing, click on your profile at top right, scroll down to Account details, and add your location. Especially if you're asking question you want good answers to.

Five acres of really good grass might support a couple of cows. What are your plans for having animals with no experience? Are you going to dive right in and buy lots of different types? Small, first time operators often make the mistake of jumping too fast and getting too many different kinds of animals... and then they find out that every different one has different requirements.

But we are here to help you get through to the place where you can look out over your new estate and wonder why you ever wanted to live in an apartment.
 
Hi @RotAcres, and welcome to CT!

I'll spend some time working with you, possibly in person. It's late and I need some rest. We can start with what you want to focus on in terms of the cattle industry when I am rested. I'll tell you more who I am tomorrow. This will confuse you, but I don't own any livestock myself, nor do I really want to at this time, and maybe ever. Hint: tomorrow is a dedicated holiday for me.
 
How do I pick the perfect bull?
I am sure that there are at least 20 people on here that will tell you only they know how to pick the perfect Bull. ;)
Randy and Teddy tell the story that everyone wants to help out those just getting started and that it is pretty easy to buy a $50k bull when you have that level of help.
Those days were wild in the Herford Industry. There was tons of money flying around back then, and a big part of it was only on paper. I have no idea if Randy is still involved with cattle, but if I recall correctly, Teddy was instrumental in helping to develop the South Pol Breed.

A big part of becoming well know and successful by selling seed stock is marketing. I cannot emphasize this enough. The most expensive genetics may not always be the best.
 
The most expensive genetics may not always be the best.
There is more than one instance of "The perfect bull" being used 'to excess' and then later being discovered to have a very detrimental recessive gene to the point that the overuse of that bull darn near destroyed the breed. I know it has happened with herfords (a least once and I am almost positive it has been twice, and possibly/likely more) and I also think it has happened with angus. There are probably/likely/undoubtedly other breeds that it has happened to as well.

How do I pick the perfect bull?


Well, YOU have to define what you mean by the perfect bull first. By that I mean what is perfect for you may not be perfect for someone else, and by that I mean what you define as the perfect bull, someone else might consider them to be a nightmare.

Let's slow down a bit and first focus on what your IDIVIDUAL goals are. And let's break that up into 3 parts, at least. First, what kind of operation do you want to run? A commercial operation where you produce animals for market? And then break that down into cow/calf or a stocker operation. #2.) You need to understand/know how the operation runs. In other words: feeding, nutrition, vet/doctoring, principles of grazing management ( that's me). If not a commercial operation, then you might be looking at a seed stock operation, which based on what you have said so far, might be the way you are leaning.

Familiarize yourself with the breeds that do well in your area. Get to know the EPDs of the breed(s) you are interested in. If you are that focused on bulls, study and learn about the likes of Kit Pharoh. There are some producers on here that may have an operation that you might like to model your operation off of. Based on what you have said so far, you might want to get to know @Jeanne - Simme Valley. She breeds and shows Simmental cattle (breeding and show cattle) in upstate New York. She also manages her pastures well.

By the way, you aren't becoming a cattle farmer, you are becoming a grass farmer.

You can figure out more about me if you check other threads here and ask around. I'll also readily answer any questions you have me, or the industry, or I'll find an answer.
 
well.. you might be able to keep 1 bull on the 5 acres. do you really think you can sell semen to people b/c you bought a bull? These bull breeders are all collecting semen as well and selling it.

plant some peach trees instead.
 
I am sure that there are at least 20 people on here that will tell you only they know how to pick the perfect Bull. ;)

Those days were wild in the Herford Industry. There was tons of money flying around back then, and a big part of it was only on paper. I have no idea if Randy is still involved with cattle, but if I recall correctly, Teddy was instrumental in helping to develop the South Pol Breed.

A big part of becoming well know and successful by selling seed stock is marketing. I cannot emphasize this enough. The most expensive genetics may not always be the best.
i have a hereford bull from teddy. he's not that great.. calves are ok.
 
1. You're gonna need considerable more ground.

2. You're gonna need to buy into some great genetics (big big $)

3. You're gonna need more ground.

4. More ground (I like leasing)

5 You'll have to build a name for yourself.

My neighbors got into highland cattle with the same goals as you. After spending 250 to 500k on facilities and genetics they are selling 30 calves a year and grossing $250k + (total guess) from calf sells alone. She also sells semen. She built her market thru social media and buying old and proven genetics. She really impressed me with how things have turned out. They're pets though, not beef animals. So that's a different ballgame.
 
There have been a lot of posts like this recently. New member, no cattle or farm background, new dream of life in the country and seeking advice.

Lots of people selling out and farm land becoming available. Lots of people trying to escape the cities and townships. I do believe it's a widespread movement. Probably 10 to 20 new people living in RV's where I'm at. All doing the same thing. Some don't last long, some seem pretty serious.

I was that guy on here back in 2015 or 2016. Very much appreciated every one of you guiding me along.

Maybe we need a mini farm section sub-forum? 😃
 
There is more than one instance of "The perfect bull" being used 'to excess' and then later being discovered to have a very detrimental recessive gene to the point that the overuse of that bull darn near destroyed the breed.
Back at the time mentioned above in the 80's the Hereford Industry was in a huge bubble. Tons of money being thrown around. One of the highest priced and most popular Bulls was supposedly polled. This was just about the time DNA testing was being develped. Lots of his calves started having horns. When he was tested, it turns out that he was not genetically polled. Lawsuits ensued and the Farm Manager did testify that the Bulls Mamma did get out and spend a few days with a non-polled Bull on a back pasture. There was a big collapse in the Registered Polled Herford Industry after that.
 
Lots of people selling out and farm land becoming available. Lots of people trying to escape the cities and townships. I do believe it's a widespread movement. Probably 10 to 20 new people living in RV's where I'm at. All doing the same thing. Some don't last long, some seem pretty serious.

I was that guy on here back in 2015 or 2016. Very much appreciated every one of you guiding me along.

My neighbors got into highland cattle with the same goals as you. After spending 250 to 500k on facilities and genetics they are selling 30 calves a year and grossing $250k + (total guess) from calf sells alone. She also sells semen. She built her market thru social media and buying old and proven genetics. She really impressed me with how things have turned out. They're pets though, not beef animals. So that's a different ballgame.
You are probably correct. For sure, you are a real person, still here, and working on your plan. I don't want to discourage these new posters, but many are so unrealistic that I really wonder what the situation is. Bought 5 acres of land with the hope to raise cattle, retain bulls, and sell semen. What kind of realistic advice do you give for that? Your advice was very good. For sure, there have always been young people that hope to get into the cattle business (all good), but their views, knowledge and dreams are very different now I think. Use to be that the young people had some farm/cattle connection and the dream was more about how - money, land and such. Now way different people (still good). Maybe I am just seeing it as different when it really isn't.

You have mentioned your Highland neighbor before. I always thought of highlands as an odd breed for this area - hot and humid here. I attended a 2 day AI course at Clemson a few months back. About 16 students. We introduced and told a little about ourselves. Six of the 16 people had highland cattle. I was surprised. I asked one of them where they bought semen since most mainstream breed semen is bought from semen companies or distributors. She told me that highland semen is usually bought from highland breeders and price for the good stuff was $500 or more per straw! I asked if she had the miniature version. She was almost offended, explaining to me that the miniatures were genetic deformities and it was cruel to raise that (something we agreed on). Maybe I need to add some highlands to my little herd. They must be moneymakers! Yes, things a changed a lot I think. Us old folks tend to look at things from our old experience.
 
Hello everyone!
I am 27, a 1st generation rancher (or at least in the making), and I just purchased *my first ever home* sitting on 5 acres in the middle of SC peach country.

I purchased my land with the intent of buying cattle, and collecting my. future bulls for profit.
Is this a realistic career goal? How do I pick the perfect bull? Biggest question, how do I start?
Side note, I understand that I will be OOP in the beginning process, and profit will come after the work I put into my cattle/bulls, I just don't know where to start.

I have a strong passion for livestock, cattle - homesteading. I grew up with horses, I rode for a few years. I have already made friends with the local cattle, the owners own them for game, so they weren't able to give me advice on where to start with my own cattle farm.

All this to say, I have worked so hard to get here and I need some advice from you all. Any advice, mentors, books, reddit holes, or starting points would be immensely appreciated.

Thank you for reading this far, I look forward to connecting with you all and Happy New Year!
- Aurora
Visit with your local Natural Resource Conservation Service office and ask them if they have heard of me. They may have, but if not, a fellow employee of theirs will have heard of me.
 

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