getting started raising own beef

[newguy]

Hello,

I am considering getting 2 or 3 steer to raise for beef. Probably keep a half for myself and sell the other 2 at market weight. I currently have about 3.5 acres fenced in seperated into a .5, 1, and 2 acre lots. I would like to do this as inexpensively as possible and have them mostly just grass fed. Where do I start? I have been told to get about a 5-700 pound steer and keep it till 1000 to 1200 pounds.

Questions:
1. The fence I have up is a horsefence called horseguard. It is 2 inch wide electric fence tape. With 2 strands one at about 2 feet and one at 4-4.5 feet from the ground. Is this adequate for keeping the cattle in?

2. When, what breed, and what size should I get?
3. Will it already be neutred when I get it?
4. How long should it take to raise to market weight?
5. If I raise 2 or 3 and keep a half for myself will selling the others cover my epenses of raising them and pay for my processing?
6. Any other advice you can give?

[lakeportfarms]

If you are planning on mainly grassfeeding for your steer, you really only have enough property for 1, at least when they get larger. If you're new I would suggest starting with that and see how well you can manage. As your quantities increase the work seems to increase exponentially, and you start requiring equipment like a tractor with a 3 pt hitch, or loader to handle round bales rather than small square, etc. 2 or 3 will go through a small square bale pretty fast. By all means if they will be for meat make certain that they have been steered, though it's possible to do it without the facilities when they are young, don't even think about trying to do it once they have a few pounds on them without the headstall, etc...

You may want to consider getting into one of the smaller breeds like a Dexter or Lowline Angus, which will put less stress on your property and (usually) are a little less intimidating or in the case of the Dexter breed, usually more docile.

[agmantoo]

newguy,
Let me start by welcoming you to the site!
Before answering any of your immediate questions give us a little more information as to your location. Do you have forage growing at this time? Do you plan on doing this effort just once or is it going to be ongoing? Have you done any soil sampling? Do up have any access to farm equipment?
I suggest that you also read the thread about rotational grazing at the top of this forum and see if that interest you.

[newguy]

I am in central indiana and the grass has grown pretty tall already in what used to be horse pasture. Part of the reason I am wanting to get cows is to keep this down without mowing. I have another few acres which gets cut for hay by my neighbor. I would likely do it again if things go well the first time.

I have been advised to get a 400-600 pound steer by my brother in law (acts like he knows a lot but half the time he doesnt). If I get 2 of these guys and grain a little once per day, how soon would they be market ready? By winter? How much should I pay for the steer to start with and how much money do you think I'll invest readying them for market? Finally how much would they typically sale for? I know these arent hard numbers but I need to at least know I wouldnt lose by but on these things and wouldnt have to put in a ton of time. If I could raise 2, keep a half for myself, and keep my pasture down I would be ecstatic to break even (purchase price+feed/care price+my half price = selling price of the other 1.5). Is that realistic?

[agmantoo]

Originally Posted by newguy

I am in central indiana and the grass has grown pretty tall already in what used to be horse pasture. Part of the reason I am wanting to get cows is to keep this down without mowing. I have another few acres which gets cut for hay by my neighbor. I would likely do it again if things go well the first time.

I have been advised to get a 400-600 pound steer by my brother in law (acts like he knows a lot but half the time he doesnt). If I get 2 of these guys and grain a little once per day, how soon would they be market ready? By winter? How much should I pay for the steer to start with and how much money do you think I'll invest readying them for market? Finally how much would they typically sale for? I know these arent hard numbers but I need to at least know I wouldnt lose by but on these things and wouldnt have to put in a ton of time. If I could raise 2, keep a half for myself, and keep my pasture down I would be ecstatic to break even (purchase price+feed/care price+my half price = selling price of the other 1.5). Is that realistic?

Good beef breed steers 400 to 600 lbs (gain faster than heifers) will cost you from $1 to $1.25 per pound. They should be 6 months + or - old. Depending on the quality of feed and breed they should reach processing weight at 12 to 18 months of age. Angus breeds (and there are others) meet market weight faster than large breeds and dual purpose breeds and are processed at lighter weights (~1200 lbs) and younger ages than larger breeds (1600 lbs). Provided you can raise the animals on natural forages and can locate a buyer that wants such an animal you should be able to get a premium price for the portion you sell. Also, provided you can control the costs and be a low cost producer you should be able to profit doing what you described. I produce only feeder calves and do not feed them out to market weight. Others here can better provide the numbers for the dollar projection. I do employ the rotational grazing practices and I do consider myself a low cost producer. Most rotational grazers can produce an animal for as little as 30% or less than that produced by a conventional grazer.

[Karin L]

To answer your initial questions;
1. First of all the electric fence might be suitable if the calves are already experienced with it. However, if they are range calves that don't particularly respect the hotwire then you will have to add a strand or two of barbed wire to help keep them in, plus another hotwire, since with weaners it is recommended you have 2 strands instead of one.

3. Steers are not born steers; they are born bulls then castrated ("steered") when they are born or shortly after. In other words, yes.

Originally Posted by newguy

I am in central indiana and the grass has grown pretty tall already in what used to be horse pasture. Part of the reason I am wanting to get cows is to keep this down without mowing. I have another few acres which gets cut for hay by my neighbor. I would likely do it again if things go well the first time.

I have been advised to get a 400-600 pound steer by my brother in law (acts like he knows a lot but half the time he doesnt). If I get 2 of these guys and grain a little once per day, how soon would they be market ready? By winter? How much should I pay for the steer to start with and how much money do you think I'll invest readying them for market? Finally how much would they typically sale for? I know these arent hard numbers but I need to at least know I wouldnt lose by but on these things and wouldnt have to put in a ton of time. If I could raise 2, keep a half for myself, and keep my pasture down I would be ecstatic to break even (purchase price+feed/care price+my half price = selling price of the other 1.5). Is that realistic?

This is correct, as Agman said. Steer calves that are around 500 lbs are weaned at 6 months of age. Purchasing them in the spring or fall, whenever the markets give a good price for purchasing calves after the cow-calf guys had lowered the prices due to the influx of weaner calves is as good as time as any to get a couple. Angus or other breeds or crossbreds are good to purchase. Crossbreds, with the hybrid vigour, tend to do well on pasture (in most cases) than straightbred animals. Provided they are calm to begin with and are handled calmly. Flighty, high-strung steers are going to do worse on pasture and be hard on your fences, plus they end up as dark cutters (meat is dark and tough) when harvested. Another thing is to make sure these calves are up to date on their vaccinations and are healthy: bright eyes, attentive, eating, that sort of thing. You might have to be prepared to handle a case of shipping fever or two a few days after they get home; Borgal or Nuflor is good to have on hand just in case.

Feeder/stocker calves tend to gain on average 2 lbs/day DM. As-fed, that's ~15 lbs/day. Not all calves gain the same; some more, some less than others. If you do the math, purchasing calves in the spring to have them graze for how ever many months you are able to graze in Indiana, on good pasture, plus feeding them grain at about 1% of their bodyweight or less, they should reach slaughter weight by 8 or 10 months (+/-) from the time you purchase them. I could be overestimating or underestimating, but I would really think its all to do with the quality of your pasture. If your pasture is not giving the quality you want it to, then supplementation with fertilizer and/or a trace mineral salt block or loose trace mineral will help a lot.

How much they sale for depends on your market. The prices for slaughter steers up here in Alberta is quite a bit different than down there in Indiana. You could visit your local salebarn to get an idea of the prices for them, or go on-line to places like Cattle Today to get the latest market prices. And that's for both purchasing the calves as well as selling them in as the end product.

Now as far as expenses are concerned, it all depends on your circumstances. Feed, mineral and fencing supplies are the top things to think about, as well as fertilizer for your pastures. Meds might be just a minor thing if your calves keep healthy throughout the time you care for them, as well as vaccinations and/or implants.

Hope that helps. And good luck!