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How To Raise Cattle: A Comprehensive Guide to Raising Beef Cattle

Harvey Bell

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Published in How To Raise Cattle (How To Raise )

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If you're thinking about starting a cattle operation, or if you're a current cattle producer looking to improve your operation, this guide is for you. It covers everything you need to know about raising beef cattle, from choosing the right breed to marketing your beef.

How To Raise Cattle (How to Raise...)

by Philip Hasheider

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	196 pages

Choosing the Right Breed

The first step in raising beef cattle is choosing the right breed. There are many different breeds of beef cattle, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the most popular breeds include:

Angus
Hereford
Simmental
Charolais
Limousin

When choosing a breed, it's important to consider your climate, your land, and your marketing goals. For example, if you live in a cold climate, you'll need to choose a breed that is cold-hardy. If you have a lot of rough terrain, you'll need to choose a breed that is good at foraging. And if you plan on selling your beef directly to consumers, you'll need to choose a breed that produces high-quality beef.

Raising Cattle

Once you've chosen a breed, the next step is to raise your cattle. This involves providing them with food, water, and shelter, as well as protecting them from predators and disease.

Feeding Cattle

Cattle are ruminants, which means they have a four-compartment stomach that allows them to digest tough plant material. The main component of a cattle's diet is grass, but they can also eat hay, silage, and grain.

The amount of food that a cattle needs depends on its age, weight, and activity level. A mature cow will typically eat about 2% of its body weight in dry matter per day. So, a 1,000-pound cow will eat about 20 pounds of dry matter per day.

Watering Cattle

Cattle need access to clean, fresh water at all times. The amount of water that a cattle needs depends on its age, weight, and activity level. A mature cow will typically drink about 10 gallons of water per day. So, a 1,000-pound cow will drink about 100 gallons of water per week.

Housing Cattle

Cattle need shelter from the elements, including sun, rain, wind, and cold. The type of shelter you need will depend on your climate. In cold climates, you will need to provide a barn or other enclosed shelter. In warmer climates, you may only need to provide a three-sided shed.

Protecting Cattle from Predators and Disease

Predators and disease are two of the biggest threats to cattle. To protect your cattle from predators, you need to build a fence around your pasture. You should also check your cattle regularly for signs of disease. If you suspect that your cattle are sick, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Marketing Beef

Once you've raised your cattle, the next step is to market your beef. This involves finding buyers for your beef and getting it to market.

There are many different ways to market beef. You can sell your beef directly to consumers, through a co-op, or through a broker. You can also sell your beef to a slaughterhouse.

The price you get for your beef will depend on the quality of your beef, the market conditions, and your marketing skills.

Raising beef cattle can be a profitable and rewarding business. However, it's important to do your research and understand the challenges involved before you get started. This guide has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the cattle industry. By following the tips in this guide, you can increase your chances of success.

How To Raise Cattle (How to Raise...)

by Philip Hasheider

4.1 out of 5