Info to start out

[DKR82]

DH and I are looking into buying some land in TX, outside of San Antonio. We won't be on the land for at least 2 years, but figure we may as well start paying now, it's a great deal and a great investment. I would like to raise a few cattle on the land (for beef and milk for us), and from what I've read Longhorns would be a good choice for us starting out (we've never had livestock before). I realize I have lots of time, but am trying to get all my info together early. So my questions: Everything I've read states that Longhorns can pretty much forage for themselves, with little in the way of supplemental feeding. How many acres do I need per/animal? And how much can I expect, in this area of the country, to supplement with hay, etc.? Could I use a longhorn as a milk cow, or would I be better off with another breed? What kind of fencing will I need? I would also like to try raising a few goats...could they all be in the same enclosure, or should I keep them separate? I think that's all I've got for now, I'm sure I'll think of more later! Thanks in advance for all of your help!

DK in KS (for now!)

[TSYORK]

It's just me, but I don't think I'd want to milk a long-horn, maybe a milking shorthorn, but definitely not a long-horn. They're not the most docile of breeds anyway. For meat they're great, but I sure wouldn't want to wrestle with those horns twice a day trying to milk. A lot can go wrong in a short period of time. A Jersey or Gurnsey or a milking Devon would make an excellent milk cow.

[linn]

Why not try Dexters? They are a dual purpose, hardy cow. There are several Dexter breeders in Texas.

[Allen W]

Longhorns are fun to look at, but the horns are dangerous, and they bring less at the sale barn. If you new to cattle longhorns are not a good choice. Acres of grass per animal will vary by location some body local would need to advise on this.

[Karin L]

If you're looking for a breed that can scrounge around on their own level for forage, give milk and give beef without needing much attention, and are docile sounds like a case for breeds like South Devon, Red Poll, Gelbvieh, or Murray Grey. TL's are about as productive in milk production as Herefords are...which goes to saying that they don't produce much.

[~Tomboy~]

DK,

I am about 30 miles north of San Antonio, what area are you looking in? Most of the Longhorns I've seen are really ranging looking, of coarse there are some absolutely beautiful steers, most are pets only. Personally I'd go with a breed that's polled or dehorn you animals, especially if you will be milking.
Animals per acre will depend on what area you are in, we have been in a sever drought for over a year, which for us equates to feeding year round!

My vote for a breed to look at would also be Dexters.

[DKR82]

Thanks, everyone, for the input. After some consideration, as cool as Longhorns would be, I think realistically Dexters would be a better choice. And Tomboy, we're looking at land around Jordanton, south of San Antonio.

DK

[Debbie at Bount]

I raise Angus and I wouldn't want to milk one of them and still keep my teeth.
If your looking for homesteading do as the guy above mention and get yourself a Dexter. I infact have though of one as both a milker and its calf as meat. You see when I have one of my whole Angus steers slaughtered there is way to much meat. A Dexter would be perfect. There is someone in this area that has them and love them.

If your wanting to get into cattle business and it is beef which I assume is best in both TX and OK (I live in OK) then you get yourself something like Angus/ Beefmaster (have lots of mamas of them), Limonsine. These are beef cattle and you probably couldn't tame them into milking. I've had milk a mama that was down to get the milk for her baby.

Good luck....why would you want a longhorn? Just curious, they neat looking and they are around my area but I've never asked an owner his reason before.

[DKR82]

Originally Posted by Debbie at Bount

Good luck....why would you want a longhorn? Just curious, they neat looking and they are around my area but I've never asked an owner his reason before.

From what I've read, they're very hardy, self-sufficient animals. Make sure they have water, they'll take care of the rest. Easy calving, can be made to be tame (like a pet), don't need a lot of supplemental feeding (compared to other breeds). The meat is extremely lean (lower in cholesterol than a boneless, skinless chicken breast), which was a big selling point to me, as I'm a bit of a health nut. Also, you can (apparently fairly easily) lease/sell them to rodeos and such for roping due to the horns. They look cool. And, most importantly, I'm a Longhorn! (Alumni of UT Austin) lol

DK

[vg60]

We raise Brangus. For the most part they are very calm and stand the Texas heat and cold well. Goats need different fencing from cattle, the will go thru and jump over..they are horribly curious.

I suggest you check with your appraisal district on how may acres and how many cows. A lot of districts have changed their land ratios. Williamson County now has it where you have to have 10 acres...no less for ag exemption, also don't expect ag exception immediatly, they generally want you raising something at least 5 years before you see the lowered tax rate.

If you are not going to be on the property for a while I suggest you raise hay if possible. To many people buy cows and put them miles away, they check on them maybe once a week, they don't check their fences and 9 times out of 10 these animals will find a way to get out. Why invest this much money into animals if you don't check on them or at least live on the same property as them.

Also don't expect to get rich from raising cattle, that is if you plan to have a calving operation. I only tell you these things because you are new to cows. To many people get into cows thinking they are pets and only get them for the exemption. Cows are not pets...ever. They will turn on you in a heartbeat, I don't care how tame you think it is. I have known to many people over the years who have been crushed or stomped to death.

[francismilker]

You might go with the above suggestion on Milking Shorthorn, Milking Devon, Dexter, or some other type of dual-purpose cow. It would also be advisable to plan on eating the calf because milk bull calves don't sale well. On the other hand, any cow that you hand raise and tame could make you a decent family cow whether it's of beef or dairy bloodlines as long as you're willing to feed it well and share milk with the calf. My grandma milked an Angus for years and it gave a lot of very rich milk.