First of all I have a full time job and am not looking to necessarily make any money with cattle. I know with my limited acreage it is not feasable. I have cattle because I enjoy it and it is a hobby but it would be nice if I could at least make it pay for itself.
I have the room to run about about 6 pairs, or an equivalent amount of calves, etc. I have other things going on and am lucky to have all kinds of equipment at my disposal, nice tractor with loader, free AI, working pens, livestock trailer, sheds, good fences, water etc.
I am looking for an idea or a plan to do with cattle that could more or less be self supporting. I enjoy working with them, and spending the time is relaxing for me. I just would like for it to pay for it self.
Here are my ideas let me know what you think?
1)Buy 6 yearling heifers, breed them and then raise and sell the calves.
2)Buying 6 pairs with newborn calves and raising them to weaning and sell them then.
3)Buying already bred cows and raising the calves to sell.
4) Combo of 2 & 3 with 3-n-1's
5) What about just buying small calves in the 300lb range and raising them up to 5-600lb and selling them?
I just really don't understand the cattle markets that well and the way the pricing works. I was wondering what a sound strategy would be. Again I am not looking to make a big or really any profit just pay for a hobby.
I have the room to run about about 6 pairs, or an equivalent amount of calves, etc. I have other things going on and am lucky to have all kinds of equipment at my disposal, nice tractor with loader, free AI, working pens, livestock trailer, sheds, good fences, water etc.
I am looking for an idea or a plan to do with cattle that could more or less be self supporting. I enjoy working with them, and spending the time is relaxing for me. I just would like for it to pay for it self.
Here are my ideas let me know what you think?
1)Buy 6 yearling heifers, breed them and then raise and sell the calves.
2)Buying 6 pairs with newborn calves and raising them to weaning and sell them then.
3)Buying already bred cows and raising the calves to sell.
4) Combo of 2 & 3 with 3-n-1's
5) What about just buying small calves in the 300lb range and raising them up to 5-600lb and selling them?
I just really don't understand the cattle markets that well and the way the pricing works. I was wondering what a sound strategy would be. Again I am not looking to make a big or really any profit just pay for a hobby.