beef and dairy questions??

[kevinshorses]

I don't think that's anywhere near enough but I don't know how grass grows in NJ. You could also try to rent some pasture for some of the animals.

[kait18]

Well the neighbors are going half in with the meat and they have another 21 acres so they would let us graze on there fields as well...

And we have access to grazing on preservationland that's leased out to farmers or we can go across the street and ask the neighbor if we can put them with his cattle herd... they have over 72 acres with access to preservation land...

[COWCHICK77]

Originally Posted by kait18    

we have 15 acres fenced in now. And are fencing in another 3-4 acres next spring. I thought the animals would have enough roughage from grazing from the summer with little grain. And in the winter add hay for roughage and grain still.
We have 3 horse now and getting another. Then add 2 beef cattle, 1 dairy to start with and possible 2 sheep.
You think that 15 acres would be enough with proper rotation or should I plain on giving hay in the summer too?

It depends on where you live and how many acres to takes to sustain an animal unit (AU). If your unsure you can contact your local Ag extension office.

[COWCHICK77]

As far as the breed of your beef cattle it depends if you are raising steers to butcher or did you want a couple of cows to breed for calves to feed and butcher?

If your buying steers to butcher- I recommend steers rather than heifers, steers have a higher daily gain than heifers. As far as the breed since you live up north I would recommend English breeds rather than a thin skinned breed like a Brahma or Mexican style cattle. English breeds endure the winters better. If they are thin skinned you have to feed them more in order for them to stay warm and maintain their weight. Also I wouldn't recommend Charlois cattle they have a heavier bone mass and your yeild won't be as high as say an Angus. I am not a big fan of Herfords, I find them to be weak hearted and their eyes are horrible to deal with in the spring in the summer, it seems like your constantly doctoring them. Maybe Angus crossbred. With a crossbred you get the hybrid vigor.

I love Mexican cattle, they are hardy critters that were actually bred to gain on the move as oppossed to English breeds that don't gain well if moved alot, but given your acreage that won't be a huge issue. And again the thin skinned Mexicans might not winter as well.

But cattle preferences are a lot like horse breeds, everyone has their opinions!

[Joe4d]

Get the kinda a beef that comes in the plastic rapped package. Theb plant about a 2 acre food plot, Then shoot the deer in the fall. Lots of meat, no year round upkeep. Plus you don't have to eat something with a name.

[kait18]

I already do the dear meat... my folks like the beef so I need that option which is why they want it. Maybe I can convince them to do one beef cattle, and no dairy lol I don't want to milk anything... :)

Haha thanks for the help everyone I am printing this and showing it to them tonight

[tempest]

Originally Posted by Speed Racer    

OP, I've heard that Holstein dairy cows produce a lot of milk, but they're nasty.

I have quite a bit of experience with Holsteins, and while some of them were nasty a lot of the ones of I worked with (about 40 some) were gentle and friendly. But I guess that this could have had a lot to do with how they were handled, raised, and the temperament of the cows in general. So I don't know how much of that statement is true.

[kait18]

Tempest I agree it depends on the animals handling and personality more so then the breed. I didn't like the holsteins to much bc they seemed to have a less creamy milk which would make a better yogurt. I am a big yogurt person. So I liked the creamy aspect lol

[mls]

Originally Posted by kait18    

tempest I agree it depends on the animals handling and personality more so then the breed. I didn't like the holsteins to much bc they seemed to have a less creamy milk which would make a better yogurt. I am a big yogurt person. So I liked the creamy aspect lol

Again - it completely depends on the animal. Holsteins can test just as high as a Guernsey or Jersey.

[InStyle]

We run 60head of charlois/hereford cows, and then 2 charlois bulls. They do great in our cold manitoba winters, are generally easy calvers, and easy to work with. They are larger then the angus (or at least the angus around us). And they are delicious ;)
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