You can’t just start a beef cattle farm on a whim. Owning cattle is not a part-time job, and you can’t simply take a day off whenever you don’t feel like showing up for work.
Your animals will depend on you daily to provide food and water and keep them safe and healthy.
Now, if you know you are ready to commit to being a responsible livestock owner, the first step on your journey should be to learn how to start beef cattle farming.
Educate yourself about beef cattle farming while building your network
As you educate yourself about beef cattle farming, know your purpose. Do you want beef for consumption or income? Learn how to breed cattle, care for calves, and keep records of these processes.
You should also meet experienced cattle farmers and ask them for advice on how to start your farm. Building a network when embarking on a new adventure is always a good idea. If you ever feel alone or overwhelmed, you will have friends to help and guide you.
Be sure you find a large animal veterinarian and can trust them to care for your cattle.
Acquire the facilities and equipment your beef cattle farm needs
You can’t just let your cattle graze on your pasture constantly. You need to provide them with comfortable housing so they can rest and be sheltered from the weather whenever needed.
You will also need fencing, crates, sorting pens, covered feeders and cattle waterers. Covered feeders are essential to keep hay dry and clean, and cattle waterers allow you to provide your animals with clean water to drink.
You could start with a small barn for now. However, you can build a larger shelter if you plan on growing your beef cattle farm.
Make a budget and get financing
Whether you plan on buying a barn or building the facilities you need from scratch, you can expect your venture to be expensive. You will need to buy land, animals, equipment, fencing, and more, and you might even have to hire staff.
Before you spend, make a budget. Figure out how much money you already have and how much funding you need. Look for opportunities to benefit from a grant or loan to help you start and operate your beef cattle farm.
While operating your farm, keep track of your expenses and income. You might need to make some adjustments for your cattle farm to become profitable.
Get the right land and manage it properly
One critical thing you need to understand about beef cattle farming is that caring for your land should be one of your priorities. To keep your cattle well-fed and healthy, you must learn how to properly manage your land.
Figure out what you could do to improve your pastures. And resist the temptation to buy as many animals as possible on your land.
You want to ensure each cow has enough to eat and that you can efficiently preserve your land to stay healthy for years.
Choose a breed of cattle and start with a small herd
Since you want to run a beef cattle farm, choose a breed known for beef production. Angus, Hereford, Charolais, or Beefmaster could be good options.
Different factors, such as growth rate, calving ease, feed efficiency, and body measurements, should guide your choices. You must also choose a breed that does well in your area. Regardless of your breed, buy quality cattle from a reputable breeder.
And remember that since you are a beginner, it’s best to start with a small herd. You can always buy more animals when you feel more comfortable with your new responsibilities.
Provide your herd with a nutritionally balanced diet
Even if your herd enjoys fresh pasture daily, you must supplement their diet with hay, grains, vitamins, and mineral supplements. This will give them unlimited access to clean water.
A nutritionally balanced diet will help your animals stay healthy and strong, which is necessary if you want your beef cattle farm to succeed.
Consider seeking nutritionist advice to meet your cattle’s nutritional needs.
Also Read: Experience the Changes with Organic Beef Organ SupplementsÂ
