![]() ![]() Cows drink an astonishing amount of water, even when it’s cold.Īlso, remember that cattle eat a tremendous amount of forage. For many parts of the United States, though, a good windbreak will be sufficient in the winter.īe sure that you can provide plenty of water in the summer and winter. You may need to build a shed or shelter for cattle if you live in a place like this. Look at your barns and outbuildings, particularly if you live in an area that sees subzero temperatures and copious precipitation in the winter. Cows will find the one hole in your fence, and it usually happens when you’re all dressed up and headed to a wedding or a funeral. If you bought your property already fenced, don’t assume that the fencing is intact. For cattle, you need sunny fields with grasses and legumes.Īlso, check your fencing. There may be some grass under all those weeds, but the cow will have to work mighty hard to be fed. A field full of pigweed, broom sedge, blackberry briars, and thistle will starve a cow. While cows can and will eat some weeds, don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because it’s green a cow will eat it. ![]() For many homesteaders, the animals are the most exciting part, but don’t put the cart before the horse, or in this case the cow before the pasture.įirst, check out the quality of your fields. Things like fencing, pasture renovation, and water need to be fully considered before you ever put the first cow on the property. And if you have to buy winter hay, it will take longer still. By the time you invest in the infrastructure for cattle and buy the animals, it will take quite a while to get that money back. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that cattle, beef or dairy, will pay their own way or make you money for a few years. I’m just explaining the realities of cattle farming. I don’t say this to discourage you from getting into cattle. Good dairy cows are pricey they are also fragile and it seems that we’ve had more than our fair share of bad luck with dairy cows. My husband teases me about our eight-dollar-per-gallon milk. However, the milk-cow project has been much more of a money hole than the beef-cow project. I enjoy milking and handling my cow every day. But, it’s not significantly cheaper than grocery store beef, although the quality is much better. We do enjoy improving our herd, and they do a valuable service in keeping our fields free of brush and trees. However, I love raising cattle and we don’t do it for the money. This is possible, but extremely unlikely for many, many years. Some homesteaders think of cattle as an investment that will pay them back in the years to come. In fact, you will be lucky if just you break even, most years. One thing I want to mention is that raising cattle will probably not make you very much money. Crosses will be easier for you to learn on, for starters. Registered cattle are a little more complicated than cross-bred cattle, and they will cost a bit more, too. Many homesteaders dream of owning a dairy cow that can provide them with milk and a yearly steer for the freezer, but save that dream for the future when you’ve learned a little more about cows and taking care of them.Īlso, if the idea of a special breed of cow appeals to you, hold off on that dream for a bit, too. If you’ve never owned cattle before, I’d recommend planning on buying a commercial-beef-cross weaned heifer or a steer to begin with. What are you looking for in a cow? Do you want beef or milk? What breeds are common in your area? Consider all of these questions before you ever start looking for cattle. However, the process of buying a cow or two doesn’t need to be so scary. Don’t get me wrong, it is quite an investment and it is a huge step for any homesteader. Some homesteaders are intimidated at the prospect of spending several thousand dollars on animals that are quite large and have their own unique needs. Owning a few cattle can further that goal, since a cow or two can provide meat, milk, and lawn mowing. One goal of the homesteading lifestyle is to live as independently as possible, providing for oneself and one’s family. ![]()
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