which way is more cost effective??

[crittercrazy]

We only want to raise enough meat for our family every year, so we are not a huge beef farm. LOL! But we were wondering if it was more cost effective to Buy a cow or two already bred for next year, and then have them bred the following years. Or to keep going as we are and buy calves yearly? What do you all think??

 

[somn]

I would say 7 out of 10 years I can buy the steers for less money than it takes to raise them. Atleast that is what the ranchers are telling me. I hate it when instead of thanking me for buying their cattle they complain they didn't get enough for them.

 

[Keren]

I think if you have the pasture it is generally more cost effective to buy in weaner steers and grow them out and finish them.

But boy, there is an added benefit in having bred cows and seeing them raise their baby calves and those calves grow up. Thats just me though, I couldnt not have mums. But I suppose there is also the risk that you get more attached to the babies. And they are trickier to manage - more things can go wrong.

 

[crittercrazy]

Hubby was the one wanting to get a few cows, But I expected it would be cheaper to buy the calves

 

[novatech]

At the price they are bringing right now and the price of feed, I would buy the one closest to being ready and just finish it out. Buy one from an individual than has a good reputation for quality beef.
There is a lot more to putting a good steak on the plate than just feeding out any old sale barn calf.

 

[bigbull338]

as said with the price of feed id buy a 600 or 700lb calf an feed it out.you can let it graze for 120 to 150 days while your graining it.an butcher it in the fall.an start all over again the spring.