Looking back on the last few years, this list of 5 things for beginner beef farmers is the most important parts of owning cows.
Hi, my name is Julie and my husbands name is Bo. We are raising grass fed and/or grain finished beef for families wanting high quality meat from local farmers.
Bo and I both grew up with beef cattle.
Bo’s family had a few Hereford cows and took steers to the county fair with his sister.
I grew up beside my grandparents that also had a herd of Hereford cows. My grandparents had a few pastures that they would move the cows around, fields that were for making hay, straw and corn for the grain bin.
When we were married we rented a home from beef farmer. The farmer that we rented from had a lot of acres but he didn’t sperate his pastures. It was all open for the herd to roam as they pleased.
We have seen different ways to manage herds. Now that we are 3 years into our own farming adventures, these are the top 5 things we have found most important for beginner beef farmers.
1. Understanding Cattle Needs
All animals, cattle included, have special needs that we need to make sure are met in order to have healthy happy cows. Beef cows require a balanced diet, which should be adjusted based on their age, breed, and purpose.
Somethings to keep in mind is the age of your beef cows. Calves need milk from mom, or a bottle, and access to good quality hay. Feeders/stockers are weaned cows that are in need of good quality hay throughout the growing months. Pregnant and lactating cows need access to protein , that is why we have protein tubs available for them. The thing to remember is that feed requirements are not one-size fit all.
At our farm, we have all our cows and calves on pasture. Then in the final few months we will separate our steers that are going to butcher and add a scoop of Non-gmo 12% beef feed daily to the diets. This adds to marbling in the meat and add a little more weight to them before they head off to be processed.
Another thing to keep in mind is regular health checks. This includes vaccinations and parasite control to prevent diseases. Having a relationship with a vet, is invaluable for tailored advice and care.
2. Adequate Shelter and Environment
Cattle will do so much better in environments where they feel safe and comfortable. This includes having adequate shelter to protect them from extreme weather conditions (shade from the hot summer days and wind breaks in the windy winter months )and spacious grazing areas.
Proper fencing is also essential for their safety and to ensure they don’t wander. We have put in permanent pastures that have 6 strands (2 hot) wire fence on our farm in the last 3 years. Regular maintenance of their living spaces, such as cleaning and repairing shelters, is crucial for their well-being.
For our beef farm this looks like cleaning the cement pad where hay is placed in our winter pasture. Along with keeping the barn space cleaned for our feeders and /or bottle calves.
The amount of space needed for cattle depends on the herd size. Stress and health issues can occur when overcrowding happens. That is why providing enough pasture or range land is important. Having enough space allows for natural behaviors like grazing and roaming, which is very important for their physical and mental health. It also allows for healthier beef cows.
3. Health Management and Veterinary Care
Regular health management is key in raising healthy beef cattle. This includes practices like deworming and controlling external parasites. Also, being on the lookout for any signs of illness (staying away from the rest of the herd or head lowered) or injury and addressing them promptly is so important. Regular health assessments can help in maintaining the herd’s well-being, and possibly save a life or an emergency vet call.
Routine health checks are necessary for detecting health issues as early as possible. Things to consider include body condition scoring, hoof health, and monitoring for respiratory or digestive problems. Regular evaluations can help in identifying and addressing these issues at the beginning when they are easiest to treat.
This honestly only takes a few minutes each day. By spending those few minutes with your beef herd it will help you identify any potential problems right away.
An example, we had a cow calve last year. Bo had been up checking them daily and noticed drooping ears and she would stay away from the rest of the herd. Since he was checking on the beef herd regularly, he was able to identify her behavior had changed and give her some additional care to get her on the mend right away.
4. Understanding cattle behavior is important for effective beef cattle management and welfare.
When we spend time with our herd it becomes easy to recognizing signs of distress or illness. Watching their behavior can lead to early intervention and possibly save them from larger problems or even death. A key point to keep in mind is interactions that will ensure both your safety and that of the cattle.
It’s very common for cattle to sense their environment with their eyes, ears, and nose. They also respond to touch and rely partially to taste.
Cattle eyes are wide-set and can see approximately 300 degrees around but not directly behind themselves. Cattle have a limited vertical vision to about 60 degrees. An animal must lower its head to focus on the ground. Therefore, it is advisable to give cattle time to put their heads down to judge flooring during handling.
Cows have a hard time pinpointing the exact location of sound sources. They can determine sources of sounds to within about 30 degrees.
Cattle are able to hear both lower volume and higher frequency sounds better than people. They also do not like loud, high-pitched sounds. This is why when handling cows it’s best to use low tones. As a cow ages and sight become a problem, they will start to rely on sounds more. You may observe a cow will suddenly swing around to investigate a noise.
Sense of smell is much more reliable than sight or sound for cows. Cows have two ways to smell, the nose and the Jacobson’s organ found in the roof of the mouth. Because of this second way, you will see cows raise their heads with their mouth open, tongue flat and the upper lip curled back. By inhaling air this way they are getting a good sample to the sensitive part of the mouth, the roof. The sense of smell is so important to cows it’s wise to wear the same coat or clothes that you normally wear. This will help keep the herd calm and not feel like a stranger is coming too close. When you do wash, try to keep your soaps, laundry or bath, the same to help avoid confusion with your cows.
Cattle have a complex social structure with a clear hierarchy. Understanding this is important for managing stress levels within the herd and can assist in grouping strategies to limit conflicts.
5. Record Keeping and Management
Keeping detailed records is another critical aspect of cattle farming. These records should include information on breeding, health treatments, growth rates, feed consumption, if you sell a cow, or send one to the butcher and what they weighed, births and deaths. Accurate and up-to-date records help you make informed decisions for herd management and future planning.
Using modern tools, including software like HerdTrax by TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods or mobile apps for cattle management can simplify record-keeping.
I simply use a notes tab on my phone and periodically print the notes off so we have the information to reference. These notes can help you keep track of important data more efficiently, thus aiding in better herd management.
I hope you find these 5 tips for beginner beef farmers useful!
Feel free to drop in the comments some other useful tips you have learned as beginner beef farmers.
Until Next Time, Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Bo, Julie and Family
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” For I know the plans I have for you, ” declares the Lord, ” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
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