Who has cows? Need some info/advice

[Guest Spurhunter]

I have about 7-8 acres of good pasture that is already fenced and has a pond. I was thinking of getting a couple calves and let them chow down for a while and either sell and make a couple dollars, or just butcher and eat well. Never done this before, so I need some guidance.

[UncleJak]

I no longer have cows, but in my opinion they are not worth the effort. If you are going to eat them, the last 2 weeks before they are killed they need to eat a special diet and not be allowed to eat grass. If you don't have a place to keep them in this time period, it is impossible to do. As far as raising to sell, we did okay with red angus cows. They retained their value and some of the calves brought decent money. I probably wouldn't do it again. I think for the amount of care involved, the reward was not great enough.

[Guest Spurhunter]

Appreciate that info!

[Caster]

I have one every time the wife goes shopping.

[Jonnin]

Check into it, having livestock may change your property to "farmland" which may give a tax break of some sort, which could be profitable in some circumstances. I have not looked at that in 20+ years so I have no useful info on it, just a vague memory of reducing taxes while making a little money from it.... this was our neighbor, so its all third hand now...

[DaveS]

Good pasture will pay off in the end. We have fattened alot of cows/beef on pasture and slaughtered. As already mentioned, if you can put them on grain for a couple of weeks that is good. We couldn't at times and I honestly couldn't tell you the difference in the quality.

[Dennis1209]

Very interesting. I was also considering getting a feeder calf or two for the freezer. This former city boy got the free chicken eggs down pat, but as I learned, with the oyster shell, feed and scratch, they're not exactly free eggs. And cleaning out the coop and run is no picnic either.

As to the OP question about feeder calves; considering all the hassle and possible veterinary bills if they got sick, taste and price to get transported, butchered and packaged, is it really worth the trouble? Could you possibly save 50% on your beef bill compared to the meat market?

As far as any tax breaks for farming or wild life habitat here in Tennessee, the only thing I could find had to do with having 15 acres or more for any tax incentives. So, I'm a few acres short myself.

[Guest Spurhunter]

Really appreciate the info guys, giving me lots to think about.

[Dolomite_supafly]

As far as the property tax savings you need to qualify for the Greenbelt program.

Here is a flyer with the highlights:

http://farmlandlegac...erence08/12.pdf

From the sounds of it you are not going to qualify for the Greenbelt program.

It has become such a racket anymore. I know people who subdivide their Greenbelt property and sell it off but still get the benefits on the remaining property. According to law any Greenbelt property that sells and is not used in a manner in which it woudl be eligble for Greenbelt are required t pay the previous 5 years taxes at the new status rate. That is if a Greenbelt property is sold and it is turned into a commercial property then the new owner is required to pay 5 years of commercial tax value on the property up front. The only way around is if the seller agrees to pay it. But it rarely happens because the buyer and seller never notify the tax office and a new address magically appears.

The reason I know is because I was fighting my property taxes as property owners around me were selling off Greenbelt property yet were not paying their taxes. As a matter of fact I know one guy who turned his 200+ acre Greenbelt property into a commercial business park. His property is still receiving Greenbelt tax credits, no doubt because his brother in law is the assessor.

Dolomite

[dats82]

If you only have 7-8 acres, I doubt seriously that you be able to make any money at all. Depending on how good the pasture really is, you can only plan on about one animal per 2 acres if you are planning for them to graze, so you are looking at probably only about 3-4 animals. Then you have to think about vaccinations, worming, castration, and transportation to and from the sale. If you have never had cows before, I think you will be amazed at the amount of work required and the tight profit margin.

If you have kids, one thing you might consider would be bottle calves to raise for freezer beef. I worked in a dairy for a while, and we would literally give away bottle calves. We had holstein and jersey cows. I think we sold the holstein calves for $50, and the rule was if you bought two holsteins, you had to take a jersey. The jerseys won't be any kind of amazing steaks, but they would do fine for some roast and ground beef. Raising a bottle calf is very time consuming and expensive if you buy milk substitute.

You may wish to consider goats as alternatives. I doubt they would be any more profitable or less labor intensive, but at least you can handle goats a little easier than a four or five hundred pound calf.

[Guest pfries]

You don't have to make money; I aim for close to zero and meat in the fridge. Most years turn a small profit. Not to mention I find it revitalizing which is worth more than I can put a price on but then that is just me. 45 acres and average 23 head.

Edited May 17, 2012 by pfries

[Guest PapaB]

The beef may not be cheaper when you raise your own but at least you can control what they eat and they'll taste better than store bought.

[10-Ring]

Got a buddy that buys the cow on hoof from a local farmer and has it slaughtered. Sounds pretty appealing after thinking about all the trouble it is to raise the cow. Can't remember what he pays but I think it comes out to a couple of dollars per pound after the meat is packaged and everything. Feeds a family of four for a year for $750.

[Guest Spurhunter]

Part of the draw is to not waste the grass by mowing it, I figure even to break even feeding cattle with it would be better than composting it back into the ground. Lots of great info you guys are giving me though.