cattle buisness

[DieselTorque]

i'm soon going to possibly go into the cattle buisness, after i get a big enough farm truck, anyone on here who has cattle, do ya'll come out decent, or i should say is it something that i would want to go into, possibly full time?, what breeds are the best to raise, acreage, etc. thanx fellas.



dt

 

[BILLVO]

Those are all questions you need to take up with your local county ASCS office. Or you can go to a local auction barn and visit with local ranchers about market prices and costs and such.

Those questions can vary a great deal depending on what part of the country you live in.

Do you own land currently or are you looking at renting?

You will never go wrong with angus and Gelbveih or a cross between the two are probably the most popular breeds in the upper plains states and midwest. If market beef cattle is what you were refering to. Dairy is a whole other ball game.

 

[jkalchik]

No offence intended, but I'd strongly suggest that you do a little more research before you jump in with both feet.

How's your feed supply?
What are you gonna do with the manure?
Market?

I grew up raising beef cattle. Dad grew all of his own feed and still didn't make anything signficant.

 

[JPope]

Not intending to be a smart ***, but there is a joke for situations like this that people should consider



How do you make a million dollars in (insert whatever business you want)?Start with 3 million dollars!



Previous posters have given you good advise, research, research, especially with local producers, ag offices, and attend a few auctions to see what is going on!



Who knows you might even find an opportunity out there, either job, someone who will take you under their wing, or someone looking to get out of the business and has equipment for less $$ than new!

 

[2Rowdy]

I heard jpope's jokes alittle different. How do make small fortune doing( ), start with a big one. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

[RGardner]

Best advice is to start small and see if it works for you.

 

[Little Bill]

I run a herd for the tax write offs. I'd starve if I didn't have a real job. Around here, Angus cows bred to Hereford bulls or visa-versa produce the top paying calves.

 

[DieselTorque]

thanks for all of the replys and info, i'm not currently wanting to go in full time, just as a possible side hobby, just maybe a enough cattle to fill and keep the grass down on say maybe 20 acres for now, my family on both sides were cattle ranchers & farmers, several cousins had large ranches(200acres, i know, but big for around here)and both my grandfathers had 60 plus acres each with bhramans and black angus,my uncle also raised and showed shorthorns back in the 60's, so its in my blood, i just want something to learn with, and kinda get back to my roots, since no one know has any cattle anymore and then maybe just build from there, thanks again.



dt

 

[MEby]

I am in the same boat you are, almost. Someday(5 years or less?) I want to do the same. small, part time beef operation. There's a book called "Salad Bar Beef" by Joel Salatin, I would like to, at least in part run an operation like his. Seems like there would be a niche market for a small operation, maybe in the organic market?

 

[DennyDay]

Talked to an old boy in a Texas barber shop a few years ago, and he'd just won the Texas Lottery. Barber asked him what he was going to do with all that money, the rancher answered he'd just keep on ranching 'til it was all gone!



Denny

 

[BigPapa]

thanks for all of the replys and info, i'm not currently wanting to go in full time, just as a possible side hobby, just maybe a enough cattle to fill and keep the grass down on say maybe 20 acres for now, my family on both sides were cattle ranchers & farmers, several cousins had large ranches(200acres, i know, but big for around here)and both my grandfathers had 60 plus acres each with bhramans and black angus,my uncle also raised and showed shorthorns back in the 60's, so its in my blood, i just want something to learn with, and kinda get back to my roots, since no one know has any cattle anymore and then maybe just build from there, thanks again.



dt

Sounds like you need to talk to your family with all that experience! Are they in the same area? Here in Middle Tennessee people are selling cattle because of the drought we've had. Hay rolls are going for $100 apiece. Lots of people buying them up north and selling down here.



Scott

 

[Pawpaw]

Talked to an old boy in a Texas barber shop a few years ago, and he'd just won the Texas Lottery. Barber asked him what he was going to do with all that money, the rancher answered he'd just keep on ranching 'til it was all gone!

That's a VERY old joke, but it does make a good point.



Bob

 

[TWilkening]

Make sure you do plenty of research before jumping in. I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I grew up in town, but have helped buddies on their farms since I could climb on a tractor. I've been looking into getting a beginning farmer loan. I'm hoping to end up with a couple hundred acres to start with. I also plan on keeping my full time job for a while until I get everything up and running, which makes the banker happy. The thing to do is try and figure what you will need to buy as far as land, equipment, fencing, etc. If you have a good banker, they can help you figure out what you might need. The ASCS or any credit agency that deals primarily in ag loans would be your best bet.

Keep in mind that if your only wanting to have enough cattle to keep 20 acres of grass down, you won't have many cows :-laf For the time being, the truck you have now could be plenty. Just buy yourself a decent bumper pull stock trailer and call it good for now.