Figured it had to be that.
I've noticed every auction that I've ever been at had it's own "feel" to it. You did the best when you figured that out quickly and assimilated to how that worked.
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Was watching a cattle auction that was streamed on the net just now.
Calves about 500 lbs. going for $50-80.? That doesn't sound correct? Do they auction it in per hundred lb. increments or something?Leave a comment:
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Awesome! I can't recommend Greg Judy's books enough. In the hotter climates color matters...if the cattle are too hot they are going to be laying in the shade instead of eating.
"No Risk Ranching" and "Comeback Farms" have a lot info on how he does pasture beef (i have read both of his books and they got a ton of info).
Joel Salatin - "Salad Bar Beef" - I haven't read this book of Salatin but he's been doing pastured everything for decades.
Greg Judy might be able to recommend someone down in your area to talk to, heck send him a message on facebook and you can probably give him a call, he is in Missouri.
Greg got some of his cattle from Alabama. http://www.southpoll.comLeave a comment:
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AI is definitely a hassle. Even with just a few, you will need a small stock trailer.
Cheapest and most work is to start with bottle calves. Bred heifers next cheapest. Beware of buying at a sale barn, as you are often buying other people's problem cows. What breeds are most common in your area?
IMO, you can't go wrong with black baldies.Leave a comment:
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Cattle/pasture plan- critique please
Getting things squared away slowly to be ready for adding some cattle soon.
I have roughly 20 acres that I'm in the process of cross fencing so as to have 3 or 4 rotations, each roughly equivalent.
Water is accessible via a pond from all rotations and I plan on having some troughs further uphill also. The pond is pretty much centered in the pasture so almost no spot on the pasture is more than about 800 feet from the pond if need be.
Pasture grass seems to be mainly bahia and other native grasses. We seem to have good growth most years into November. Plenty of spots of shade here and there. There is also pecan trees in this pasture. Water pipe/valves have been caged via bent cattle panels attached to 4x4's.
All fencing is 4' standard farm/field fence.
I'm thinking of starting with 4 or 6 cows to begin with. Goal initially is just to figure out stocking rates for my area, what works and what doesn't, etc. Ideally will get a freezer full of meat out of it and if I get to where selling a few pays the prop tax bill, then super.
I don't necessarily want to mess with AI. What should be my thoughts for looking to purchase cattle?
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