Bestoutwest
Well-known member
I jumped into cows as a newbie as well, here's some advice:
1) Build the best facilities you can afford. Do it right the first time. BUT! you don't necessarily need the biggest and best equipment. I have a 135 degree sweep that leads into a manual squeeze chute. One of the cheapest options, but it's economical and does its job. With our small operation there's no need for a hydrolic chute, or a solid walled tub. Spend a lot of time planning them. Draw them, redraw them, then do it again. Try to think "how is this going to get broken, how will cows flow through it."
2) You don't need $5K heifers from fancy breeders, doesn't make money. I'd start with cows that know the ropes on having and raising babies, and know how to behave.
3) Registered is a whole different ball game, and you probably won't be allowed up to bat. It's the nepotism show.
4) Don't be afraid to change your plan. I went from longhorns, to angus, now to sale barn calves we'll keep through the spring/summer/fall, and use as freezer beef. Keeping cows over winter isn't going to work for us with $300/ton hay.
1) Build the best facilities you can afford. Do it right the first time. BUT! you don't necessarily need the biggest and best equipment. I have a 135 degree sweep that leads into a manual squeeze chute. One of the cheapest options, but it's economical and does its job. With our small operation there's no need for a hydrolic chute, or a solid walled tub. Spend a lot of time planning them. Draw them, redraw them, then do it again. Try to think "how is this going to get broken, how will cows flow through it."
2) You don't need $5K heifers from fancy breeders, doesn't make money. I'd start with cows that know the ropes on having and raising babies, and know how to behave.
3) Registered is a whole different ball game, and you probably won't be allowed up to bat. It's the nepotism show.
4) Don't be afraid to change your plan. I went from longhorns, to angus, now to sale barn calves we'll keep through the spring/summer/fall, and use as freezer beef. Keeping cows over winter isn't going to work for us with $300/ton hay.