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Raising CowsRaising cows is a sensible way to make use of that extra land that isn't good for much else.Cattle will do just fine on any area that is way too steep or rocky for a garden or a crop. Plus, they'll help clear out brush, keep your weeds trimmed, and protect your land from wildfires by keeping dead dry grass and brush under control. Our former next-door neighbors kept cattle on their acreage, providing us with a lovely, well-trimmed view. So don't worry about your neighbors. They will come to appreciate that you are raising cows, as long as they are kept where they belong with sturdy fencing. Want Milk? Want Beef?Fresh milk is one big reason for raising cows. A cow will provide you with enough milk for butter and cheese for your family and her calf will supply you with a year's supply of meat.But Don't Leave Her LonelyWhether you prefer raising cows or prefer finishing steer, you will want to keep more than one. Cattle are herding animals and get stressed out when they are left alone.
Terms You Should KnowA bull is a male who still has his reproductive organs. A male calf is considered a bull when he is born.A steer is a bull that has been castrated. Either he'll have a small scrotum or no scrotum at all. He is a beef calf. A heifer is young female. She has teats on her udder that will grow as she matures. She remains a heifer until she is two years old and has a calf. Then she becomes a cow. A cow is a female older than two years, who has a calf. How About Extra Income?
Whether you are raising cows or just want some beef, you could buy two calves and keep them on your pasture all spring and summer.
Then in the fall, sell one and have the other butchered for your own freezer.
By selling one, you should be able to recoup most of your costs and end up with free beef for the year. Keep more than two, and you have a potential part-time income. Get Them YoungYou will want to start with calves, whether you plan on raising cows or two or just a couple of steers you plan to butcher at the end of the season for beef.Don't Spoil ThemNever allow an animal to lose respect for you. That darling little bull calf that's so cute the way he is trying to push you around today will become a far less cute, thousand-pound steer later. Cattle are social critters and will think of you as one of the herd, and it's in their nature to be pushy, so learn to push back early on, and make sure they understand that you're the head of the herd.What You Need for Raising CowsGood, strong, fencing is the most important thing you will need for your homestead cow or steer. Use either barbed wire or electric fencing. With weaned calves that you plan to raise over the summer for meat, you don't even need to purchase hay or grain. Just keep them on your grass and then butcher them in the fall.Even if your acreage is small, you can still keep a couple of steers. If you have enough grass, you can allow them to forage for themselves, or you can feed them hay and grain. You will need a close source of water, and a pen to herd your cow or steer into when they need a vaccination or other care. 
Because they have heavy coats that protect them from the rain and cold, cattle really don't need shelter, but you might want to provide a cowshed anyway.
You'll appreciate a break from the elements when you are milking, and your homestead cow will need shade when it's hot outside. Looking For a Mini-Moo?There are breeds of miniature cattle available, such as the Dexter or the Mini-Jersey, but be aware that these breeds are costly: at about $3,500 per head, they are up to ten times the cost of a regular breed of cattle.Read More About Raising CattleGoing Back to the Basics sometimes means having experiences you might once have never dreamed possible, such as your first calving experience. Mare - who likes to call herself Wannabe Farm Girl shares her story of first-time calving the (sorta!) easy way.If you love having your own fresh milk, butter and cheese as well as the best beef available, you can't beat having your own Homestead Cow. Here are some tips. Ready for more? Read about Mare's adventures in breeding cows. Learn the benefits of drinking raw milk by clicking here. |
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