feed

[Mossyoak]

This is my first time posting here on the cattle section. We have raised a couple pigs and that went very well. My question is about raising a calf to around 1000 pounds for butcher. I own two acres where the cow will be, can I rotate the grazing to completely depend on grazing for feed? Is that a good weight to shoot for? We will probably get the calf next spring.
I have been bush hogging the land every couple months to try and get unwanted weeds out of it and have thought about planting to make sure there is a good grass growing. Thanks for any advice.

[topside1]

The weight you should be shooting for depends on what type (breed) calf you purchase...Two acres will be plenty of room providing you have decent soil and a growing season. Ask a few more specific questions and I'd be glad to help...Topside

[topside1]

Waiting another year maybe a big mistake, raising your own beef is rewarding and healthy, why wait? Some breeds take two years to finish out. Look at it as a live investment, if you got into a bind sell the animal for some quick cash. Topside

[Mossyoak]

My main reason for waiting is we still have to fence off some of the property, we have four acres total. I was thinking t post and barn wire.

[topside1]

Originally Posted by Mossyoak

My main reason for waiting is we still have to fence off some of the property, we have four acres total. I was thinking t post and barn wire.

I was thinking t-posts and electric fencing, a lot cheaper. Topside

[topside1]

I could electrify 2 acres in one day, it's that quick....something to think about...Topside

[myersfarm]

On just 2 acres

do not were you are


but loose dogs can chase a cow thought electric fencing unless you put up 4 or 5 strans

[topside1]

Mossy I run five strand and pen my animals at night....loose dogs don't last long in my neighborhood...Topside

[Mossyoak]

Loose dogs don't come around my area, thanks to my rottweiler. He scares off the coyotes but is good with animals we raise, he did very good with our pigs. He knows what's right and wrong to do at our place. I will probably try the electric fence. I already have a pretty good fence charger. Thanks alot

[SCRancher]

Yea I can electrify a couple of acres in a couple of hours (that's being generous) - I would use step in fiberglass posts and poly wire and get started - you could then as time permitted use hi-tensile wire and wood posts on the perimeter.

[tinknal]

Mossy, you really should post your location. 2 acres in the midwest, northeast, or south will be plenty. In the west, not so much.

Many counties own an "interseeder" It can plant forage seed right in the sod. Check around and see if your county has one for rent.

[Mossyoak]

I am located in swmo. The property we own is four acres and about fifteen years ago had cattle all over it. My neighbor behind me has eighty acres with about forty cows.

[tinknal]

Mossy, to raise a calf to 1000lbs (from birth) takes more than 1 growing season. You will either need to buy a feeder calf, or plan on hay for one winter.

[Mossyoak]

Very good info. We have not decided if we wanna buy a bottle or feeder calf and the time is fine with us. If we have to buy hay that was the plan also.

[Plowpoint]

Buy now.

You would not even have to bother with a fence before you got it. They don't have upper teeth so they cannot cut a rope. Tether the calf to a stake, moving it once the grass is chewed down, at least until you can get the electric fence up. Everyday that little guy will be turning green grass into red meat.

Seriously, why wait my friend?

[Mossyoak]

I like your thinking Plowpoint. I am still left with one problemo. My wife still is unsure if she wants to raise a cow, she thought I was nutty when I brought a pig home to raise and even more of a nut when I butchered it all myself though she was super happy in the end. We will get there just not sure when as i want a couple chickens also.

[topside1]

When the deep freeze is full of great taste no one will look nutty then...Topside

[Mossyoak]

Lol very true, I filled it up last weekend with the pig butcher.

[Callieslamb]

I wouldn't raise just one if you can help it. He will be over with the neighbors cows all the time - fence or not.

[collegeboundgal]

I live north of springfield about 20 miles. we're in a bad drought right now. you might be feeding hay during the summer to. with the heat we're experincing you'll need shade for the calf/cow with unrestricted water. I've found raising a bottle calf is a lot more dangerous during the summer to. they seem to get sick easer and will die fast in the heat. just my $.02