ChrisB":giz4sw25 said:
John,
How old are the calves when they arrive? And if you don't mind my asking, what responsibilities do you have as far as maintaining fences, putting out mineral, etc? Also is the pasture crossfenced and pairs are rotated or is it one big pasture?
Thanks,
Chris
The calves can be anywhere from 3 months to 2 weeks when they arrive. As I mentioned the cows brought to my place almost all have heifer calves at side, but there could be a few late born calves of either sex in the mix, since they won't be sold with the majority on sale day anyway.
Neighbor maintains fence with materials I provide, supplies his own salt/mineral and feeders and checks on the cattle regularly. Major fence construction/reconstruction I would hire out. I pay the electric bill which is now $85/month year round availabilty charge for 3 meters :shock: And I'm actually only using one at the moment
The largest pasture is 480 acres (3/4 of a section, minus the NE 1/4 which belongs to someone else) 12' tire tank in the middle and also a dam and a dugout.
160 acre pasture adjacent to and can be used in conjunction with the 480 is 1/4 mile wide and a mile long ( 4- 40's E-W) One range well at the far west end of this pasture hasn't been used for a few years. Needs a new tank and likely all external wiring now needs replaced. I was going to turn on the pump to give it some exercise but chickened out when I saw the weathered wiring :lol2:
As far as I know the pump is still good and the well is excellent. I will buy a new tank and whatever it takes to make the wiring safe. This well is a submersible pump on a float switch pumps directly into the tank. No pressure system. Neighbor just hasn't had time to help with it. Another 12' tire tank 3/4 mile east from the pipeline system is the only current water source on this 160.
Another 160 acres consisting of similarly stretched out 40s across the road. Neighbor turned in this pasture first this year. Has 2 -12' tire tanks located a half mile apart. Also has a dam on the far east end of the pasture and a dugout not far from the first tank.
The balance of the rest of the pasture is about 40 acres around the farm stead which is reserved for late fall winter. Sometimes we hay this, sometimes we don't. Just cut around the buildings this year for fire protection/deep snow access. The barn and corral is the only winter protection on this place.
I also leave some hay that can be fed if cattle get stranded in bad weather. I don't charge for any hay fed. Since the neighbor with the cows lives 10 miles away and I'm 17 miles away, the neighbor who lives a mile away and helps me put up the hay usually puts out hay for the cattle if necessary with his fuel in my tractor.