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CATTLE FARMING & RELATED APROACHES

When starting a new to cattle farming, the first decision to make is what type of animals to raise. This decision should be based on the markets available to sell beef cattle, whether you want to do dairy production or the resources available on the farm, and the producer’s individual goals.

Beef cattle can be raised for meat or for breeding. The intended market will dictate the best breed or breeds for the operation. Some producers may choose to breed females to produce calves that can be sold for breeding stock or for market. Others may prefer to purchase weaned animals, also known as feeders, to raise to market weight.

Producers should first decide whether they want to raise purebred or commercial stock. A purebred operation typically raises animals of one breed. Purebred animals can be registered and sold through purebred sales. A commercial operation may have unregistered purebred animals, or they may have crossbred animals. Crossbred animals have the benefit of hybrid vigor, which means that they are often more productive than purebred animals. For example, a crossbred calf may grow faster or a crossbred female may produce more milk for her offspring.

Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing the type of beef cattle to raise:

• Climate: Some breeds are better suited for certain climates than others. For example, Brahman cattle are heat-tolerant and do well in hot climates, while Angus cattle are cold-tolerant and do well in cold climates.
• Feed availability: Some breeds are more efficient at converting feed into meat than others. This is important to consider if the producer is limited in feed resources.
• Disease resistance: Some breeds are more resistant to certain diseases than others. This is important to consider if the producer is located in an area with a high prevalence of certain diseases.
• Management requirements: Some breeds are easier to manage than others. This is important to consider if the producer has limited time or resources to devote to cattle management.

Ultimately, the best type of beef cattle to raise depends on the individual producer’s goals, resources, and circumstances.