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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

How do I learn about cows?

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JackT

10-11-2006 10:18:59




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I'm new to rural life and every day is a pleasant learning experience, although often hard work. I'm thinking I'd like to get a few cows--just for fun, not for the huge amount of money you can make with them, but then I don't even know which end of a steer to milk! :>) My neighbor seems to get about 15 pair in the spring, lets 'em graze all summer, then sells them in the fall. There's got to be more to it than that, isn't there?

Thanks,

Jack

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Aaron Ford

10-13-2006 12:05:33




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
Just go down town and pay some fella to punch you in the jaw, steal your wallet and publicly humiliate you once a week. Be a lot simpler and your boots will smell better. Do this and you'll be a professional farmer in no time.....

J/K

Aaron



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Brj1

10-12-2006 11:22:53




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
We have a 180 acre farm that my grandfather started with one cow. He walked the cow a few miles down the road and bred her, then he had two cows. You could do the same with your neighbor if he is willing. I don't like buying and selling cattle you seem to get some wild ones that are not used to your facilities and will not be used to you. Start with a small ammount and take really good care of them, when they get used to you handeling them is when you will not have a problem. As you have calves and put some weight on them you can sell them or keep them and grow your farm. But I would start with a few reliable cows and get them used to me, and keep them.

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JackT

10-12-2006 14:12:11




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to Brj1, 10-12-2006 11:22:53  
Not sure I understand you. I'm supposed to walk my neighbor down the road a few miles, breed him, and I'll get two cows? Granted I don't know much about cattle, but I really don't think that'll work...even if he is willing!!! Sorry, just couldn't resist funning with you.

Thanks to everyone for the good advice and I'll check into the references many of you suggested. By the way, I really do know you can't milk a steer. You have to unscrew its tail, tip him on end, and pour it out!

Thanks again,

Jack

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rodgernbama

10-11-2006 18:55:31




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
Jack: My dad also used to buy cattle in late winter-early spring and sell them in the fall. The idea is they are usually cheaper in late winter because people sell off to keep from buying feed for them. Then you pasture them during the summer months and sell in fall before price starts to fall.You don't have to spend money on feed that way. The cattle prices have been real good the past few years. Reading, talking to or watchings others will be helpful, but there's nothing like first hand experience.

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regalbe

10-11-2006 18:51:44




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
You get you some and then you start to learn. Like my dear old granny always said “ you got to be smarter than the cow”.



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Steve KS

10-11-2006 15:23:15




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
What your neighbor runs are called "stocker cattle." You can learn a lot by Googling that. Your local extension office would be a good place to start as well. Basically all you're doing is putting weight on them, there's a mightly slim profit margin in that, so you can't afford to spend too much on them. Depending on where you are located you need to have a fair amound of pasture (or other cheap feed) for each animal if you want to make any money at it. Like everyone else has said you need fences and way to haul them. Eqiupment like a working chute and loading chute would be nice, but you can survive w/out them if you're not running too many. A good relationship w/ your vet would be good too, they can tell you what vaccinations and maybe growth implants he recommends. Shadowing your neighbor is a great way to learn the practical aspect of it.

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Jim K

10-11-2006 15:22:40




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
Get a steer and name it Ribeye, that way you won't get attached. And if you figure you don't want to raise cattle, you can always make steaks out of him. Kills two birds with one stone.



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Eric SEI

10-11-2006 19:02:06




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to Jim K, 10-11-2006 15:22:40  
When my parents first bought a cow, we named it's calf Roast Beef.



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nballen

10-11-2006 11:39:06




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
You've got a neighbor with cattle - seems like a good place to start.

Since I don't know you, and don't have a picture,...
Are your neighbor's cows in good condition? (healthy critters, smooth coats, cattle appear contented, well-fed, etc.) You can learn from anyone, but you will be better-off learning the right way, rather than the way not to do it.

Are you on good terms with your neighbor? Ask if you can "shadow" him when he is around his cattle. (I would've said "help", but sometimes help isn't. grin)

Ask questions to understand, otherwise keep you mouth shut (opinions to yourself) and your ears and eyes open! You can learn a lot that way. There are good resources here, but you can't replace hands-on, face-to-face discussion and learning.

A willing, teachable attitude and respect makes up for a lot of ignorance and inexperience. If you have cattle, you will get dirty. Don't be afraid of it, it'll wash off (or wear off).

Nathaniel

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Sam (MO)

10-11-2006 11:38:18




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
opps forgot the Link;

http://cattletoday.com/



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Sam (MO)

10-11-2006 11:37:27




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
Lots of good replies here. But you really need goos cattle facilities. Vet close by and good fence. Here is a link here you can ask questions. Just be ready for some hard ribbing.

Sam



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Dakotaclassiccycle

10-11-2006 11:32:56




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
at least his bull will be in good spirits..... ..... ..... ..



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R. John Johnson

10-11-2006 11:25:53




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
Huge amount of money you can make on them? I guess when you think about it, you do get a large amount of money when you sell them, it just takes a large amount of money to get them to the point where you can to sell them. Lots of hidden costs you might never dream of.

John



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dhermesc

10-11-2006 11:21:59




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
If they live, you are doing it right. If they die, you did something wrong.



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Nebraska Cowman

10-11-2006 10:47:02




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
Oh, they pretty much take care of themselves, especialy the steer if you try to milk him (either end) One thing some people never understand is handling cattle. You always work with the critter, geting them to move in the direction you choose but never putting to fright or fight. Lesson #1 "you dont Chase cows"



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Michael Soldan

10-11-2006 15:32:32




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to Nebraska Cowman, 10-11-2006 10:47:02  
Amen, Cowman, few people other than cattle owners know that. I was at the farm one day and a calf got out, my son in law who lives there asked if I wanted him and his company to come out and help get the calf in. I just smiled and said they should just stay in the house and carry on. I walked around the calf slowly, talked to it and moved it along the fence, past the gate, opened the gate , then walked around in front of him and moved him slowly to the gate, when he saw the opening he was in , in a wink. If you run after cattle they will run too and a lot faster than you can. Give cattle time and they will move where you want them. As far as Jack's question, I'm 58, raised with cattle and have had cattle the last ten years and I learn more about cattle every day I own them. Vet bills can eat a calf up in a hurry, got one now that I got $130 in drugs in it and its still not healthy..that'd be about my profit margin on that calf...Mike in Exeter Ontario

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Thack

10-11-2006 20:48:28




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to Michael Soldan, 10-11-2006 15:32:32  
Boy Michael, you would have enjoyed watching my neighbor's stampede their cattle all over chasing them on 4 wheelers. When they were running thru our barn lot the wife asked if I was going out to help....umm, nope I want to watch the show not be in it!



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Nebraska Cowman

10-11-2006 16:35:01




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to Michael Soldan, 10-11-2006 15:32:32  
Your story about your $130 calf reminds me. We have a saying around here. "He won't die, you don't have enough money in him yet"



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bh

10-11-2006 10:42:38




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 Yep there's more to it than that in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
"There's got to be more to it than that, isn't there?" Here are a few problems that you can run into.

1. Do you have good fences? They will get out if you don't and sometimes if you do, especially newly bought ones.
2. Do you have a way to haul them to and from where you buy and sell them? That can be quite a ways and gets expensive if you have to hire it done.
3. When you get ready to load them do you have a place to pen them up and get them into a trailer. The less facilities you have the more of a challenge this is.
4. Do you have animals like coyotes that will try and kill the cattle especially younger ones?
5. The buying in the spring and selling in the fall sounds good, but I don't know anyone that's made it work on a long term basis. I think the weight gain will be ok, but you'll lose some price per lb as the cattle get heavier. Sharpen your pencil and if it won't work on paper it won't work in real life.
6. Can you doctor the cattle if they get sick or do you have a vet close that will work with cattle. Many new vets do not work with large animals. If one get's sick you've got a fair investment that's going south quick.

I really don't mean to be negative and I'm sure you'll hear from some who have been successful at what you're planning, but in my area it's just not done. In my general area everyone is a cow calf producer. The money there is in selling the weaned calves. I would say that this produces a more consistent return, but requires you to hold the cattle year round. That adds another whole dimension to what you started out asking. Sorry for the long post and I wish you good luck in your decision. BH

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RN

10-11-2006 10:38:40




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to JackT, 10-11-2006 10:18:59  
Check with your neighbor, read a bit at the library, check archives here. Since you say you want them just for fun - you won't be disappointed not making profit most years. If you have 5 acres pasture in 2 or 3 fenced plots, shelter and water- you could try a pair of weaned feeder calves to start. As for which end of 'steer' to milk? You're having some fun with words I hope- If not, get to library and check dictionary also. RN

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GeorgeH

10-11-2006 10:55:01




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 Re: How do I learn about cows? in reply to RN, 10-11-2006 10:38:40  
At least he knows there are steers so he's part of the way there. No mention of knowing the difference.



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