<--- The newest newbie, I need all the advice I can get!

[tnfarmer]

Hello Everyone!

Well, I just read a lot of messages on the board today. And from the way things sound, I really like the people and the discussions. I really like the picture of the newborn in the thread below. It makes me excited as I sit here in the office in a cube.

It is my turn to be the new guy on the ranch with my shiny new boots and cowboy hat. It's time for me to get these boots scuffed and my hat dirty.

Well, I grew up on a farm. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away when i was 12 before I learned any techniques. So, I got some land it is 22 years later. The pastures are in good shape, but they need fencing.

So here are my questions:

I THINK I want to do registered Blank Angus, then the term Black Baldy came in to the picture. What is the difference?

I THINK I want to get 2 year old heifers already bred. Is this the best way to get my foot in the industry?

Do I let them graze and feed hay in the winter? I have access to all the bermuda hay I need. Or do occasionally insert corn?

Fencing, is 5 strands of barbed wire enough? Or do I have to do electrical?

What are the necessities I need, equipment wise?

Thank you so much in advance for all your help! Pleas post more pictures, it really helps to brighten this dusty old cubicle.

Todd

 

[GatorBuzz]

Hey, so does this mean I'm not the new kid on the block any longer? :cboy:

Welcome. I don't have any of those answers, but I can tell you these folks have been awfully kind to me over the last four or five days. They've put up with all my ignorance.

 

[cowgirl580]

a black baldy is a black cow/calf/bull/heifer whatever with white face. usually it will be a black angus hereford cross, with maybe something more thrown in.

i don't know about the bred heifer part. its all a matter of opinion.

we graze and hay in winter and graze in summer with maybe some hay if not enough graze.

we've never personally used electric fence, only barbed wire. its amazing how them cows can squeeze through it though. we've gone to pipe fence now.

necessities? do you have that much time to read it all? :lol:

 

[Jake]

Hello Everyone!

Well, I just read a lot of messages on the board today. And from the way things sound, I really like the people and the discussions. I really like the picture of the newborn in the thread below. It makes me excited as I sit here in the office in a cube.

It is my turn to be the new guy on the ranch with my shiny new boots and cowboy hat. It's time for me to get these boots scuffed and my hat dirty.

Well, I grew up on a farm. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away when i was 12 before I learned any techniques. So, I got some land it is 22 years later. The pastures are in good shape, but they need fencing.

Well welcome aboard. Glad you got out of the cubicle!!

I THINK I want to do registered Blank Angus, then the term Black Baldy came in to the picture. What is the difference?

I wouldn't suggest registered cattle for a beginner. Get you some good commercial black angus cows and then breed them to a hereford bull in order to achieve the black baldie calves. Or go with the vice versa, get some good red baldie or hereford cows and breed them to a registered black angus bull. Buy the best quality stock you can even if it means buying a few less!

I THINK I want to get 2 year old heifers already bred. Is this the best way to get my foot in the industry?

Buying 3 and 4 year old cows with calf at side and bred back with their next calf would be your best buy.

Do I let them graze and feed hay in the winter? I have access to all the bermuda hay I need. Or do occasionally insert corn?

Fencing, is 5 strands of barbed wire enough? Or do I have to do electrical?

Let them run on pasture all summer. Feed them hay when there is no green grass or the pasture is too short. Only add corn if it's really cold and they need the extra energy to stay warm. Also if they need some help on keeping their body conditioning. A 5 wire fence with alternating wood and steel posts with EXCELLENT corners is the fence to have.

What are the necessities I need, equipment wise?

Todd

A truck, trailer, tractor with loader, steeltoed work boots, leather gloves, catch panels, alleyway with chute or headgate, good corrals, good water, good fencing pliers, and LOTS of baling wire.[/quote]

 

[kaneranch]

I would also ad a horse (if you can ride) and a four wheeler. They can be some of the handiest tools on the place at times. I would sugest getting a four wheeler for sure and only a horse if you do know how to ride. A four wheeler is good for a lot of stuff other that moving cows.

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

Welcome!

Other posters gave good advice.

Check out "Our Ranch Photos" page on our longhorn website. Have some photos of structures, etc.

 

[Medic24]

or if you have any kind of money at all, hire some help to do it all for you as you sit back on your wide porch and watch it all hapen. :cboy:


No really, Jake has it about right......I might add the following...... as a newbie, registered cattle is not for you, GOOD lines are though.

As for black baldie cattle, they are the best sellers in this area, so yeah, may be a good choice for you as well.

Now to chose between an angus bull and herford cows, or vice versa......easy.... go the sale a few times, and see what the two breeds are selling for, that is comparable quality, etc angus cows, and herford cows.

Around here, herfords go much cheaper, so that settles it for us... we buy herford cows.......many, and a very good black bull, one. Or visa versa.if your area is opposite.

 

[Crowderfarms]

Tnfarmer,
You've been given some good advice.I'd stay out of the registered business, if I were you, You're getting into a business at this point in time when Cattle have never sold as high. Good Cows aint gonna be cheap. If I were you I would find me some GOOD Fullmouth black Cows, take your time, and you can find some that will be a good investment, go for quality cattle.You'll probably be able to find some good bred Cows in your part of the State. Put a Hereford Bull to work on em' for your next calf crop, In this State more money has probably been made in my opinion, with Black Baldies than any other type cattle around. If I were you I'd go with 5 strands of barb wire, and your having hay available will be a plus in the Winter. A 4 wheeler can be your right hand man, it's going to take some start up bucks to get going. Just make sure it's what you want to do. ;-)

 

[Bret]

Todd,

Just get started. Choose a mentor in your neighborhod. My mentor is also a Dr. of Vet. Med. and one of my best friends. He got me started with a five year old cow and three bred heifers. Mine is a registered Angus Herd. The truth is, if my mentor would have had Herfords or something else, that's what I would have now. I never met a cow I didnt like

I have 4 wire HT Electric fence and we get along fine. Sometimes I have to squirt the new borns back through the wires. It seems like when they get their first shock they only know to go forward.

Don't worry about having everything you need to get started. The cows will teach you something everyday. Your mentor will help you. There are lots of good long distance mentors here too.

Welcome.

 

[dun]

For barebones equipment you need adequate watering equipment/facilities, hay feeders for the winter, minerla feeding equipment/method, a cath pen area and a headgate or something similar to restrain cows. I would laso suggest a good rope halter and lead shank. That way if you have to do something that one may go down in the chute/alleyway/working area and get caught or trapped you can put the halter on, let it out and tie it off before doing the work.
Storage for hay/grain and the necesarry equipment to feed it.
Depending on the cattle and outside temptations, anything from 3 wires of barbed to 5-6 wires or single or multi-strand high tensile electric to keep them in. If you go with powered fencing, the best low impedence charger you can find and a ground system that you think is more then you would ever need.
And patience.............

dun

 

[preston39]

tnfarmer,
Much good advice here. But, do yourself a favor...look at operations around you...size...equipment...layout...type of fences...methods and processes....it will will really help you with the basics.

Then refine your understanding with questions in this forum and other environments such as local auction barnes....and community activities of like herdsman for mentoring. Progressive farmer magazine is an excellent source for information...and new concepts. Adopt proven traditional approaches with an ear for new and better ways. Study animal husdandry..from a good book at the library or here on the net...which has unlimited resources.

Be skeptical when one starts..."well we have done it this way for 100 years"...often there is a better way which has been in use for decades. Accepting change is ..for many...scary and is avoided...to their loss.

 

[greenwillowherefords]

Welcome. The advice already given has been good. However, if you want registered cattle, and you would enjoy them more, you might try a few and see how they work alongside of your crossbreds. I think that one of the better values out there is an older cow with a calf or two left in her future. You can buy some of these from individuals, perhaps with a calf at side, and they will usually be proven calvers. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase even a twelve year old cow that was in good shape, because I want my entire herd to have the ability to live twelve years and maintain condition, and that is a sure way to put those kinds of genetics into your herd.

 

[Bama]

You have already gotten some sound advice. The only thing I would add is when your getting set up with your equipment is to not skimp. Get the heavy gates to use anywhere you will be working them. Also on any opening to the outside. You can get by with economy gate on cross fences if there ain't much traffic. Go with the good tubs and feeders, hayrings and anything else you get. It will be cheaper in the longrun.