Re: OT-- Beef cattle question

Posted by Steven on January 04, 2003 at 08:23:53 from (12.36.152.153):

In Reply to: OT-- Beef cattle question posted by Kelly C on January 03, 2003 at 19:21:51:

If you are in Minnesota, my knowledge tells me that you have pretty good pastures up there. The size of the pasture isn't as critical as how much you want to feed. I live in Texas, south of Houston and currently have 8 show calves on about 9 acres. Typically around here you can do about 1 head per 3-5 acres. We feed our cows daily, twice a day about 7-8 lbs per feeding. This is not cubes or pellets, but rather a blend. They also have hay in the pasture all the time. These calves (heifers and steers) range from about 600 lbs to 1100 lbs., 1 to 2 years old.

I have another place west of Houston that is 50 acres, there I only run 12 cows, 1 bull, plus however many calves at any one time. Usually about 7 or 8 calves running. We supplement with mineral blocks year round as one person mentioned and tubes of molasses during the winter. As for hay, I keep 8 acres of this place during the summer fenced off for hay cutting. I make as much as I can, it is closed from cattle from about April until September. I keep about 1000 square bales in my barn and cut round bales first each summer. Hay can become valuable real quick in a dry summer. I feed square bales about 40 per week and usually set out one round bale per week, a round bale is about 25 square bales. Also during the winter, I plant my hay patch in rye grass, the cows really like this. If you are in Minnesota, you probably won't have that option unfortunately.

Like KraigWY said, jump in, you will learn it. Just start with a few, if the grass is growing good and the cows look good, you can add more if you want. Many people try to make it a science, but no formula will tell you if you can put more on the pasture or not, but you can always look at tell when the cows are doing good and the pasture can stand more. Stress the extension agent, they live for this stuff.

One more thing, Herefords may not be the most popular breed now because they have been around forever. But if Herefords were just coming on the scene today, they would be getting bought like hotcakes. There wouldn't be enough of them to satisfy the market. Herefords are my preferred breed of cattle, they should flourish there in Minnesota, with the cold climate.

Good Luck, any questions, email me anytime.

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