The Newfarm Forums

[John A. Snyder]

I am 15 years old and I am looking into buying my own feeder pigs to raise and sell and also to buy some feeder cattle to raise and sell. We currently own 115 acres, 35 of which is in alfalfa and clover. The rest we put into soybeans and corn. We have all the feed I would ever need to raise 10 or so animals. I was wondering how to get started with buying a few pigs next spring and some calves next summer and what weight I should raise them to before I send them off to market. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[Mike@Pierce]

John, I have raised cattle in a conventional manner for some years now and might be able to help a little. Most calves are weaned from the cow before a year of age and are weighing between 400 and 600 lbs. This is the weight that you would probably try to aquire the animals at. The healthiest way to purchase these calves is to get them directly from the rancher, stay away from the sale barns. If you can find a rancher to do what is called "across the fence weaning" that is absolutely less stress to the animal therefore causing less potential for sickness to set in. Basically the calf is taken from the cow but remains confined in familiar environment within very close proximity to the cow for at least a week or so. I have had a lot of success weaning calves this way. Once you have the calves on feed at your place, it will take a while for them to begin to gain but after 10 to 14 days, you should see a gain of about 2 to 3 lbs per day, depending on the quality of the feed. Feed steers to about 1200 to 1300 lbs. and heifers to 1000 to 1100 most of the time. this all depends on the breed and what type of beef you are trying to end up with. With some feed, it may be difficult to reach these target weights. Don't let the animals get much over two years old. You should also be aware of how processing of the finished beef will influence the end product, but that is a whole different subject.

[John Snyder]

hey man thanks that helps a lot

[Tom Colbaugh]

Just a suggestion but with 35 acres in clover and alphafa wouldn't it be wonderful to do something sustainable like grass feeding the feeders. All you would need is an electric wiring system and you're in buisiness. There is some great information available on line and probably here on New Farm. Joel Salatin has a great system going and would probably be willing to help you out. The cattle will thank you and most importantly the earth and your customers would too. We at Happy Farm will be persuing such a system next spring. Keep in touch. Tom

[Jody Osmund]

John,

Good for you!

You might try looking into your local 4-H, or FFA programs, you can get a lot of information regarding production methods and record keeping; although, in my experience there is not as much help with marketing. Also, your county should have a Cooperative Extension Service office which can be helpful.

As with any successful enterprise, a marketing is of equal if not more importance than the production. Do your marketing research before you commit to an enterprise.

It might be easier to market pasture raised eggs than to market beef; and the start up costs are less. Plus, chickens start producing in 4-5 months.

Joel Salatin has some good books on poultry and beef which can be complentary enterprises.

Look for other livestock forums on the web and post your questions/ideas; I'm sure that you can get good information from others already "in the business"

Good Luck!

Jody Osmund
Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm