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<blockquote data-quote="simme" data-source="post: 1642828" data-attributes="member: 40418"><p>Since you said you are "Extremely new with a great deal of newbie questions", you might want to get someone with experience to look at the "overgrown" pasture. Is it forage/grass suitable for cattle that just needs to be mowed? Is it weeds and brush and not much that a cow can eat? You need to be sure that the forage is there before you buy the cows. </p><p></p><p>I worked with a guy whose wife's father had gotten out of the cattle business years earlier and was not using the pasture. This coworker and his wife decided to get some cows. In the winter, he told me that one of them had gotten stuck in the mud at the edge of the pond. Then a few days later, another one. I had suspicions and asked if they were thin. He said they were pretty thin. I asked if they had plenty of grass or good hay. He told me that his wife had bought the hay. Then he told me that she took pride in finding the cheapest "hay" she could. I told him that I suspected that the cows were starving and that he had to feed them. He never mentioned them again.</p><p></p><p>Be sure there is something there for the cows to eat before you get the cows. You may have a handle on that already, but you did ask for advice. Sometimes people jump in without knowing.</p><p></p><p>Advice - it is always better to be understocked than overstocked (number of head of cattle). Understocked may be leaving some money on the table. Overstocked will cost you a lot.</p><p></p><p>Also be sure that you have adequate handling facilities. A pen to load and unload cattle. A system to move cattle from the pasture to a place where they can be constrained to examine and treat. Ideally a squeeze chute. But there are many variations that can work. Just avoid the situation where you open the door of the trailer to let them out and then have no way to get them back in a trailer.</p><p></p><p>My daughter is a veterinarian. My wife is the receptionist. She gets these calls - "I have a cow that ...." My wife asks "do you have a pen and chute that you can get it into"? They say "No, but she is pretty gentle". Avoid that situation.</p><p></p><p>Work out the issues with grass, fences, water, pens, etc. Then buy the cattle. That will be less stress. Just take it one step at a time. Keep us informed as you move forward. Maybe some pictures.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="simme, post: 1642828, member: 40418"] Since you said you are "Extremely new with a great deal of newbie questions", you might want to get someone with experience to look at the "overgrown" pasture. Is it forage/grass suitable for cattle that just needs to be mowed? Is it weeds and brush and not much that a cow can eat? You need to be sure that the forage is there before you buy the cows. I worked with a guy whose wife's father had gotten out of the cattle business years earlier and was not using the pasture. This coworker and his wife decided to get some cows. In the winter, he told me that one of them had gotten stuck in the mud at the edge of the pond. Then a few days later, another one. I had suspicions and asked if they were thin. He said they were pretty thin. I asked if they had plenty of grass or good hay. He told me that his wife had bought the hay. Then he told me that she took pride in finding the cheapest "hay" she could. I told him that I suspected that the cows were starving and that he had to feed them. He never mentioned them again. Be sure there is something there for the cows to eat before you get the cows. You may have a handle on that already, but you did ask for advice. Sometimes people jump in without knowing. Advice - it is always better to be understocked than overstocked (number of head of cattle). Understocked may be leaving some money on the table. Overstocked will cost you a lot. Also be sure that you have adequate handling facilities. A pen to load and unload cattle. A system to move cattle from the pasture to a place where they can be constrained to examine and treat. Ideally a squeeze chute. But there are many variations that can work. Just avoid the situation where you open the door of the trailer to let them out and then have no way to get them back in a trailer. My daughter is a veterinarian. My wife is the receptionist. She gets these calls - "I have a cow that ...." My wife asks "do you have a pen and chute that you can get it into"? They say "No, but she is pretty gentle". Avoid that situation. Work out the issues with grass, fences, water, pens, etc. Then buy the cattle. That will be less stress. Just take it one step at a time. Keep us informed as you move forward. Maybe some pictures. [/QUOTE]
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