Where and how to buy in michigan?

WildlingFarm · #1 07/09/14, 01:09 PM

Looking to buy a steer. What are good rates? Anyone know of any good reasonable place to purchase for our first cow?

G. Seddon · #2 07/09/14, 02:33 PM

Check with your ag extension agent for some referrals and advice. Don't buy just one; herd animals need and do better with a buddy. A happy steer makes for better beef. Prepare now for overwintering (hay, shelter if you choose, water, etc.)

WildlingFarm · #3 07/09/14, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

Check with your ag extension agent for some referrals and advice. Don't buy just one; herd animals need and do better with a buddy. A happy steer makes for better beef. Prepare now for overwintering (hay, shelter if you choose, water, etc.)

We will be partnering with a neighbor who is getting two long horns. Shelter is handled and winter food is also handled.

I have a local farm friend who is gifting us a Holstein steer

. So excited we get him on Friday!

Will definately check with AG extension for next year I would like to do a Dexter.

.

slingshot · #4 07/10/14, 06:36 AM

Cool....

Where I'm from a gifted steer( even a Holstein) is in the same category of unicorns, they don't exist. Lol!

Something you can do that's well worth the cost( at least I think it is) schedule a vet visit, they will tell you how to feed your steer for best meat production and what conditioning you should be looking for as well as how long to keep him.

We raise black angus steers and they have daily percentages of grain vs grass and hay. I'm not sure about Holsteins though as I have no experience with them.

goodhors · #5 07/18/14, 09:06 PM

Check with the Dexter Association, there are a big number of breeders in Michigan. I found them informative and helpful when I went looking for a heifer. Here is the Breeders list from the website, it is by State, not in alphabetical order.

http://www.dextercattle.org/member_l...une%202014.pdf

Here is the Dexter website if you want to wander thru it:

http://www.dextercattle.org/

Handle your Dexters a LOT, they will be easier to manage, more willing to do what you want. They are smart cattle, will work with you if they understand what you want. My heifer easily came when called, got her halter on, loaded in and out of the trailer to go places. Loved being groomed or bathed. Makes animal a lot easier to do things with!!

WildlingFarm · #6 07/29/14, 05:02 PM

Well meatball has been home for a few weeks. Lol it's been quite a wreck getting everything set up for him. We did go with the Holstein. He has a daily ration of grain and unlimited access to hay and grass. So far so good he has put on some weight and is really starting to figure out what plants taste the best as he trolls the pasture.

Our neighbors horses are terrified of him it is the funniest thing. We have a rooster who won't leave the cows side. We are kind of winging it so to speak but thankfully all is going well.

Right now he is in a 20x40 foot lean to attached to our pole barn. He has a pile of straw and the rest is dirt. But it's dry never gets muddy. Does all of the dirt need to be covered in straw?

Oh it is hilarious to pile up the straw and watch him run and jump in it like a kid. I had no idea but small cows really act like over happy dogs it is funny to watch him.

goodhors · #7 07/29/14, 06:44 PM

I would just give him a big pile of straw to lay in, clean it out if poopy or wet, daily. Calves love to lay in deep straw most times, guess they think they are hiding. His pet rooster sounds like fun to watch. If the horses have any brains, they will adapt to him, come to the fence to watch and sniff noses. Our calf would race our horses down the fence line every day, just a fun game every morning.

If you have a plastic barrel, both ends closed, he might like that to play with or scratch on. Our calves pushed the barrel all the heck over, uphill and down. Got unhappy when it snagged in the corner, so I had to get it out again. A push-broom head screwed vertically on side of the barn entry, makes an EXCELLENT rubbing spot for cattle. Get a really stiff bristle broom head, so he won't flatten the bristles. Cattle are itchy ALL the time, love stuff that rubs them back to groom on.