Looking for advice on cattle. I’ve never raised any, but plan on getting some soon. We have about 10 acres of pasture that held cattle in the past (maybe 15 years ago – previous owner), but only 2 acres of that 10 is fenced now, with the plan being to eventually fence the remaining 8 acres. There is Bermuda, Bahia and Fescue (among other stuff) growing in the pastures. We would like to raise them for eating purposes. So, my questions; What would be the best breed to get for eating? Should I consider fertilizing the pastures or spraying the weeds? I have a water source that I can pump water from (large creek) within 30’ of my fence. The creek is on our property, we just fenced the creek off from the pasture to keep the cows out of it. Is 2 cows too many for 2 acres? Any advice on vaccinations or things to look for health-wise? And anything else that you would consider important, please share as I’d like to learn.

Not trying to burst your bubble but if all I wanted was to raise one or two for eating I’d find some one raising them to sell all ready to butcher. If you think paying $1.60 - $2.00 a pound on the hoof wait till you add up what it will cost to raise just a few to eat. If you have a few cows you are going to need a bull or pay for artificial insemination doesn’t matter which going to cost $$$$$ for either. Then cow has calf and it dies so you start all over. I’m an old man raised cattle for years and no way would I try to raise a few for just eating hell of a lot cheaper to buy one ready to butcher.

Several years ago I fed out a beef master steer to about 1200 pounds and had it butchered. I kept all my receipts and in the end I could have gone to the grocery store and got as good or better beef cheaper, without the headaches and the crap cuts.

What he said...we raise cattle but unless u have a lot, it's mostly a loss or break even if u do it rght...but if it's not for money and just personal gratification then I suggest to spray grayzon on your pasture it'll take out most bad stuff...and get someone who raises em for a living to help u start out with the ones u buy.. u can pm me i know a few guys in North alabama that run sales and will get u good cows if you'd like i didn't read where your located

I don't understand how beef is produced so cheaply for the grocery store. I know farms are raising thousands of cows, but still.

My dad has had cows pretty much all of his life and he's always said his best advise for anyone wanting to get into raising cows is don't do it.

The rule of thumb on good grass is 2 acres per cow. I know people that have done it but I just don't believe calves do well without being around the herd/mama. I know am related to a guy that keeps 2 high dollar bulls on 15 acres and makes enough off of them to buy plenty of beef. He had raised beef cattle all his life. Told me when I asked him about it that he always had it in his head that is what he would do when he got to old to work them or it wasn't fun any more. He says he wish he had done it 15 years sooner. Claims he is making 50% of what he made off of 25 cows/calves. With 10% of the effort. But he put in the years doing it that his name accounts for a lot of that.

Thanks for all of the responses and insight, please keep it coming!

Maybe I should have said that raising them would be for a hobby (personal gratification like jb20 said) and the bi-product would be for eating purposes.

As long as you look at it as a hobby and don’t care if you lose money I would say have at it.

Not enough land to justify a cow/calf operation. If you want to have cattle on the property, buy some black, weaning age steers, vaccinate and deworm, and let them graze and supplement with a little feed daily, and gain up to around 900 lbs then sell them. Keep a couple to feed out.

I dont know if it's been mentioned or not yet but cattle always preform better(gains) when they have company as in more then just the one calf. They'll kinda compete at he feed through etc. With two where if it's just one loan ranger it'll take it forever to put on weight. We've raised cattle all my life with my grandpa now me and my brother do it since he passed away. 90 percent of livestock do better in a pair or more vs. Just a single animal.

Solid advice right here. Buy in the spring and sell in the fall, skip having to deal with hay. Be careful if you buy them at a sale barn though, the commercial buyers can put a hurting on you with the price.

I appreciate everyone's responses!

He must have been selling semen straws from the bulls? I would think that market was about saturated by now.

No not straws. He rents the pair out for 3 maybe 4 months a year and sells them after 4 years I think. Think they all came from the Auburn Bull sale.

Coming from a guy who has a small cow/calf operation now, you don't have enough land to keep enough cows to not loose you azz on money. Trust me, I've been there and ain't making much now. We are considering selling our mommas and putting our hay ground into pasture and raising stocker calves 9 months out of the year. That "should" enable me to turn a profit and increase cash flow.
With 3-4 mommas and a rented bull or even AI'ing you will be way upside down. You best bet is to buy 5 250-300lb steers about mid March and raise them out on grass and a little grain through the summer. Sell 3 or 4 of them in September and put that cash towards the processing cost and recouping most of you feed cost. As for your pasture, spray it with Grazon Next or a mixture of 2-4D and Remedy Ultra if there is much woody plants or blackberries. You first goal to raising good beef is raising good grass. Without good grass you pissing into the wind.

In my opinion you don’t have enough Land to fool with cows. I go with sheep or goats. You can run 5 to the acre if you rotate your pasture and make way more money.

Be careful with sheep as they are like a horse with top and bottom teeth and will bite the grass off right at the dirt and kill if over grazed. Goats not so much as they rather not eat grass if anything else is available.

You can raise a few stocker calves on your land as have been suggested. You will need a small strong pen with a roof to keep them up in when you buy them. Having a chute and head catch will help when they get sick and they will get sick. I kept mine up 5-6 weeks before turning them out as the small calves will still be hunting home when you first get them. Join your county cattleman's association will help you with contacts and may get you some calves without going through the sale barns. I used to buy mine in July ( cheapest price) and sell when they hit 700 lbs. Eating one you will have to hold it longer to reach ~1000-1200 lbs. It will dress around ~60%. I would suggest getting Angus (black colored) to eat. The Extension service used to have a master Cattleman's course, I would suggest you go through it.

If you have a good avenue for buying or cutting your own hay then buy decent cows or heifer calves in the Fall when everybody gets scared of having to put out hay. Then turn around and sell in the spring when everybody at the sell barns gets that green grass fever. That is the best way I've learned to play the game. You'll see calves go from the $1.80's down to $1.00/lb come fall.