Yep there's more to it than that

Posted by bh on October 11, 2006 at 10:42:38 from (208.63.188.39):

In Reply to: How do I learn about cows? posted by JackT on October 11, 2006 at 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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