Thinking About Getting a Calf or Two

[sunflower-n-ks]

and need a reality check.

I have an overgrown, small pasture that the geese try real hard to keep eaten down, but can't do it. My thought is to put one or two calves on it for the summer and sell them in the fall so I don't have to overwinter them.

A guy that raises cattle told me yesterday there is plenty there for two for the summer. There is good fescue and brome + some bluegrass and some weeds. No trees or brush, except for a row of black walnuts along a fence line that can provide shade. I have both rural water and a well. Calves are selling for $300 - $350 for any newborn that is advertised as an individual. Started, they go up in price fast.

My big concern is, I have never owned a calf/cow and really do not know anything about raising them. I hear the "throw one out there, no problem" and I also hear about some of the things that can go wrong, get sick/die.

The predators I deal with here are coyote and fox - but I know there are bobcats around. Smaller predators also of course. I do not know if the calves would be on the dinner menu of any of those.

The only "housing" I currently have is set up for the poultry, but the calves could get into the pens for night safety and the livestock shed which the poultry use for night time safety also.

The goal(s) are to get the pasture in better shape and a few extra dollars, if possible.

So, what do I need to know to make a decision?

[Taylor R.]

Hello there from a fellow Kansan! If you don't know much about keeping cattle healthy, be prepared to factor in some vet bills.

[MO_cows]

You'll want two, cattle are herd animals and don't do as well solo. You seem to be looking at bottle calves. You might get more bang for your buck with weaned calves, graze them all summer and sell them with their extra pounds they put on in the fall. But make sure you have good fences, calves that are recently separated from their mother are usually on a mission to go find her again.

[Ixthys]

I was going to post the same question. Has anyone experience with raising a weaned calf from now until the winter just on the field grass (and water source)?

[arnie]

sure once the calves get past the nurseing stage sat 3 hundred pounds they will do good on grass alone .

[sammyd]

Unless you plan on feeding them a gallon of milk a day or a few pounds of starter grain as well, your calves should be 5 months old at least before you slap them on pasture and expect them to grow properly.

[opportunity]

I used to buy yearlings and graze them all summer and butcher in the fall. We always got two or three and were able to have half a beef for us and sell the rest. It worked out well as older cattle seem to be smarter and are better at staying in. I have mamas now as I love haveing the babies but they are a pain compaired to the older ones