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| I am considering raising my own meat. https://www.dirtdoctor.com/efl/dirtDoctor/i-am-considering-raising-my-own-meat-t7485.html |
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| Author: | Russ [ Sun Nov 26, 2006 5:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | I am considering raising my own meat. |
I am considering raising my own meat but am a definite Rookie. I have 5 acres, 4 acres of grass and was wondering if that was enough land and also how much hay would I need to supplement if any. I would only be raising 1 or 2 and would rotate the calf to different areas of my property. Would it be economical to do so? Alot of the reason I wish to do this is learning how but I want to do as good a job as I can. |
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| Author: | swtucker [ Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Russ, I am no expert - hopefully someone else will comment too. I started out raising goats and will be getting a few calves this coming spring maybe sooner. I believe you could easily raise 2 calves on 5 acres. And I would suggest doing atleast 2 and not 1. Animals do much better when they have a companion and someone else to compete with for feed, etc. Also, you can have 1 butchered for your family and sell the other to pay for processing. On the hay. When do you plan to get your calves? Now or spring. And how old - are you going to have to bottle feed (they need milk for atleast 4 weeks & then feed/grain) or are they already weened? Do you have some winter grass planted? A round bale of hay would last a long time for 2 calves but it is much more economical for the animals to forage on their own rather than baling or buying hay. I would suggest buying or going to the library to check out "Backyard Livestock" book they go through raising chickens, pigs, goats, beef, etc. And the book does a pretty decent job taking you from the ground up. But I don't agree with everything. I'll have to go reread the beef section - it's been a while. I am considering buying a couple of dairy bull calves on the cheap. What breed are you looking into? Let's us know how you do and if you find a good deal on some calves. Thanks, Shawn |
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| Author: | pakin [ Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:01 am ] |
| Post subject: | Calf |
Russ, do you know what kind of grass you have? Pat Akin |
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| Author: | Russ [ Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:07 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
swtucker thanks for the advice I'll definitely check it out Pakin, I believe my grass is coastal bermuda. Good Luck to all. |
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