Choosing a breed of cattle
If you’re thinking of adding many cattle or simply one cow to your farm, you’ll want to consider 5 things to know about raising cattle. Let’s start with the breed of cattle you are choosing to raise.
The best choice of cattle breed may depend on where you live. In a big part, climate will determine which cows will thrive on your farm or homestead. For a hot climate like Texas or Florida, the shorter haired, sleeker breeds like Brahman cows many be more suited to the heat. Hot areas may not be the best environment for furry highland cattle and other heavy coated cows.
There are other considerations as well, when choosing the best breed for you. The cost of feed may also impact your choices. In an area where feed is expensive, it may be much more practical to choose a smaller breed that won’t eat as much. The smaller angus breeds would be more suited than a large frame cow.
Who’s Your Vet?
It is important to know a large animal veterinarian that can care for your cattle when they are ill. Before purchasing your cattle, be sure to also find a veterinarian. Asking the seller of the livestock who they use as a veterinarian may be the easiest way to find a vet.
You want to make sure that your cattle are healthy, and may need annual vaccines, even rabies shots to ensure their continued health. Recommendations from other livestock owners along with recommendations from small animal veterinarians can both be helpful. Think of your animals health and well-being first, the rewards will follow.
Why Are You Raising Cattle?
Cows can be raised for meat, milk and to produce offspring for sale. Know what you are going to use yours for before you purchase one. A cow is a large investment in money, time and resources. Knowing how you plan to use your cow on your farm or homestead is important to make sure you are utilizing that investment wisely. The main thing that you will want to ask is why are you raising cattle?
That decision can have a big bearing on the type of land and infrastructure you need. The decision on how many paddocks to have and what size will depend on if you are going to breed your own animals and how to manage and contain your bulls. You will need to have enough paddocks so that you can segregate heifers from bulls from the time they are weaned until breeding age. You may also need to keep the weaners away from their mothers for some months after they are fully weaned.
Infrastructure
You’re going to need solid infrastructure before bringing livestock onto your property. You’ll need strong fencing to keep livestock “in” and trouble “out”. Cows are large animals and can knock over poorly built fencing very easily. In addition to fencing, you’ll need some structure where cattle can escape from the elements. Though most cattle are hardy and don’t need insulated buildings, they will however need shelter from the elements and a clean, dry place to bed down. Preparing your property ahead of time saves a lot of headaches and even possible mishaps. Proper planning will go a long way to providing a safe and successful cattle operation. As the saying goes: “measure twice – cut once“!
Drinking Post for Year Round Fresh Water
Now, for the most important thing to know about raising cattle: even though they are grazing animals, cows need a steady supply of fresh water. That’s why a Drinking Post Frost Free Automatic Livestock Waterer is your best solution.
Why is Drinking Post the best solution for your cattle watering needs? A Drinking Post provides fresh, clean, 50-degree water year-round. Unlike other cattle waterers, Drinking Post Waterers do not have standing water in the bowl. Every drink is fresh, clean water for your animals that drains after every use. Since the Drinking Post fills and drains with each use, it stays very clean. There is never any standing water in the unit. It won’t allow algae to grow, so you won’t have to worry about scrubbing potentially dangerous algae in the summer.
Winter Water for Cattle
In the wintertime is when the Drinking Post really shines. Our unique design does not require electricity to maintain temperature-controlled water! Our freeze proof and energy free cattle waterers are similar to frost free yard hydrants in installation and operation. No insulation or concrete pads – and no electricity – needed to keep our cattle waterers frost free.
Durability to Last
A strong 8 inch exterior sleeve protects our frost-free automatic waterer. The Drinking Post is made of a synthetic plastic polymer which is very strong but has flex when needed. So, if cattle are leaning and rubbing, it will flex with the pressure instead of breaking. We do not get calls from customers saying their cow broke their Drinking Post, so this should not be a big concern. Recommended above ground height for cattle waterers is just below your smallest animal’s shoulder height, which means that most of the waterer will be supported and protected by ground cover and goes a long way to prevent breaking.
Best news of all to your bottom line: a new Ultimate Drinking Post comes with a 5 year warranty for all parts – structural and working parts. That’s how strongly we believe in the durability of our waterers and how strongly we stand behind them. For un-paralleled support and service, Drinking Post stands tall and proud. Please give reach out to us today. We’d love to help.
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Well done! I’m so amazed with your ability to simplify the sheer importance of adding some weather-resistant features onto out cattle shelter to keep them comfortable regardless of the outdoor climate. I’ll make sure my step-uncle realizes about this and starts doing the right thing straight away. As someone who’s been thinking of expanding his cattle farm, he’s still figuring out the best layout for the project without costing him too much money.
Yes, making sure your cattle can withstand the climate you’re in is very important. I’m glad you’re thinking ahead! It’s crucial to think about the infrastructure and have it in place before you actually bring the new cattle to your property.
It really helped when you elaborated on raising cattle and what kind of infrastructure you’ll need. Recently, my cousin said she’s interested in moving to the countryside and starting a livestock farm, so I believe your article could work as a guide for her project. Thanks for the information on how cows need the right structure to live in and stay safe.
Yes, it’s very important to think about the infrastructure first before you get your cattle! I’m glad you found our article.
My brother is considering getting a pet, which can provide several benefits. I liked how this article said that cows may be kept for beef, milk, and offspring for sale. I will urge my brother to purchase cattle, raise them, and profit from them.
Great idea! As long as the cattle are being properly cared for, you raise them for many different purposes.
The thing that stuck out to me the most is when you said that you can ensure your livestock’s continued health when you consider annual vaccination and rabies shots for them. I will ask my aunt to remember this tip since she has cows on her 15-acre farm. She also mentioned the other night that she is planning to find a reliable supplier of quartermaster medicine for cows to keep her livestock healthy at all times.
Yes, it’s very important to stay up-to-date on routine medical care. A lot of times, large animal vet care is only provided when an animal gets sick or is having a medical emergency. These routine care appointments (check ups, vaccines, shots, etc.) can keep them from having an emergency later on!
My dad plans to raise Brangus cattle on his farm as soon as he finds a breeder to get in touch with about this. Thank you for your advice when you told us that cattle need a steady supply of fresh water, which is why we should consider getting a drinking post for them to help provide them with fresh and clean water regularly. I’ll keep this in mind while I help my dad with his Brangus cattle soon.
Yes, the Drinking Post works great for cattle! It will keep them healthy and hydrated all year long. Plus, it will eliminate your watering chores! Cattle can be a big commitment, so reducing efforts where you can is important. Here’s some more info about our cattle waterer: Drinking Post for Cattle
I agree that cows could easily knock down poorly built fences, so owners need to make sure they invest in solid infrastructures. That’s why my dad has hired contractors to build solid wood fence around the field. He’s planning on starting with only 5 cows, but it’s best to be prepared for when their numbers grow.
Yes, cows are very strong animals! It’s important to keep that in mind when selecting fencing, structures, and auxiliary equipment like waterers! It sounds like you have a good plan though – a contractor will have special expertise to help choose the right materials and placements.
The statement that you can guarantee your livestock’s continuing health when you take into account annual immunization and rabies vaccinations for them caught my attention the most. Since my aunt keeps cows on her 15-acre property, I’ll ask her to keep this advice in mind. The other night, she also indicated that she intended to locate a dependable provider of quartermaster medicine for cows to maintain the health of her livestock at all times.
Yes, keeping your animals up-to-date on all medical care, including shots and immunizations, is very important! That, combined with proper daily care (like providing plenty of fresh water and feeding high quality foods), will keep your animals in good health!
Wow, you were spot on – indeed, establishing multiple water stations would help our cattle stay hydrated. This makes me think of my step-uncle who runs a cattle farm in Wisconsin with his neighbor. Maybe I should ask him to get more pieces of equipment from a supplier later.
You made an interesting point when you mentioned that you need to know what you are going to use them for when you are raising cattle. No matter what you are using your cattle for, it would probably be a good idea to give them the highest-quality food possible. You would want to keep your cows healthy so that you can maximize their purpose.