Raising beef cattle can be an extremely rewarding endeavor, both financially and personally. However, it also requires a significant amount of work, knowledge, and planning. This beginner’s guide covers the key things you need to know to successfully raise healthy, profitable beef cattle.

Choosing Cattle Breeds

The first major decision when starting a beef cattle operation is choosing the right breed or breeds for your needs. There are over 250 cattle breeds worldwide, each with their unique traits. Some key factors to consider when selecting breeds:

• Climate suitability – Choose breeds adapted to your region’s weather and environment. Heat and cold tolerance are important.

• Market demand – Select breeds in demand in your local markets and meet consumer preferences.

• Temperament – Docile, calm breeds are easier to handle and cause less stress.

• Maternal vs terminal – Maternal breeds excel at raising calves while terminal breeds produce lean meat.

• Growth rate – Faster growing breeds reach slaughter weight sooner.

• Carcass traits – Angus and Herefords have superior marbling for quality beef.

• Milk production – Important for raising fast growing calves.

Some popular beef cattle breeds:

• Angus – Docile, excellent marbling, maternal
• Hereford – Hardy, good maternal traits
• Simmental – Lean with rapid growth
• Charolais – Heavy muscled terminal breed
• Brahman – Heat tolerant maternal breed

Acquiring Cattle

Once you’ve selected appropriate breeds, it’s time to purchase cattle. Buying options include:

• Cattle auctions – Wide selection but uncertain histories.

• Private breeders – More expensive but fully vetted.

• Online/video auctions – More info than auctions.

• Raising your own – Requires facilities and time.

Tips when purchasing:

• Buy from reputable sources with health guarantees

• Inspect animals thoroughly for health and soundness

• Require proof of vaccinations and medical records

• Isolate new arrivals for 30-90 days to monitor health

• Start small and expand as you gain experience

Facilities and Equipment

Proper facilities and equipment are essential for raising cattle efficiently and safely:

• Fences – Perimeter and cross fencing for grazing management.

• Housing – Barns, sheds, or windbreaks for inclement weather.

• Water systems – Troughs, tanks, or automatic waterers.

• Feeders – Mangers, bunks, or feed troughs.

• Handling systems – Corrals, chutes, squeeze chutes, and scales.

• Tractor or ATV – For pulling feed wagons and other tasks.

• Livestock trailer – For transporting cattle.

• Identification – Ear tags, branding irons, tattoo equipment.

• Health care – Restraint devices, vaccines, medical supplies.

Proper cattle working facilities greatly reduce labor and stress during tasks like vaccination, weighing, pregnancy checks, and loading animals for transport.

Pastures and Feed

High quality pastures and nutrient-balanced feed are vital for profitable beef production.

• Rotate cattle through multiple pastures to prevent overgrazing.

• Test soils and fertilize to improve forage quality and growth.

• Provide clean fresh water at all times with automatic waterers or troughs.

• Offer mineral supplements to address nutritional deficiencies.

• Feed hay and grain as needed to supplement grazing.

• Store feed to minimize waste and spoilage.

• Record feed amounts and cattle weight gains to gauge effectiveness.

Animal Health Practices

Preventing and managing health issues is critical for well-being and performance.

• Vaccinations – Work with a vet on an immunization schedule.

• Parasite control – Dewormers, fly tags, pour-on insecticides.

• Castration – Improves temperament and meat quality.

• Dehorning – Reduces injuries from horned cattle.

• Identification – Ear tags, brands, tattoos for records.

• Body condition – Optimizing fat cover and weight.

• Lameness – Hoof trimming if issues arise.

• Reproduction – Breeding soundness exams for bulls.

• Calving – Assistance if dystocia occurs.

Business Management

Like any business, sound management and planning are key for success:

• Business plan – Have clear objectives and strategies.

• Record keeping – Track health, feed, costs, weights, etc.

• Marketing – Promote and sell cattle strategically.

• Budgets – Manage finances and cash flow.

• Insurance – Protect against disasters and liability.

• Learning – Stay current through courses, seminars, networking.

• Expertise – Hire and consult professionals as needed.

• Growth – Increase herd size and land base over time.

• Diversify – Add enterprises like crops to spread risk.

Handling Cattle

Low-stress cattle handling improves safety and productivity:

• Move cattle calmly and quietly using flight zone principles.

• Avoid yelling, electric prods, and rapid movements.

• Use flags, paddles, and other guide tools.

• Design corrals and chutes for efficient flow.

• Take advantage of cattle’s natural herding instincts.

• Reduce noise, distractions, reflections, and shadows.

• Be patient – don’t rush the process.

Proper handling reduces stress, injuries, and meat quality impacts.

Nutrition and Breeding

Proper nutrition and reproductive care ensures healthy, productive animals:

• Provide optimal nutrition for each stage of production.

• Heifers should reach 65% of mature weight before breeding.

• Monitor bull breeding soundness and use fertility testing.

• Follow a controlled calving season for easier management.

• Assist heifers during calving if needed.

• Provide high quality colostrum immediately after calving.

• Use artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and other technologies as desired.

Marketing Beef Cattle

Numerous options exist for selling and marketing cattle:

• Auctions – Local auction barns sell to the highest bidder.

• Sale barns – Larger regional sales occur regularly.

• Packers – Meat processing companies purchase finished cattle.

• Feedlots – Some specialize in buying and finishing cattle.

• Private treaty – Negotiate pricing and sell directly off the farm.

• Niche markets – Market grass-fed, organic, or specialty beef.

• Direct-to-consumer – Sell beef bundles via social media or website.

• Cooperatives – Join together with other producers to sell cattle.

Understanding markets and strategically selling cattle is essential to profitability.

Conclusion

Raising cattle takes significant work and commitment. However, the potential benefits make it an enterprise worth considering for the right person. With proper preparation and management in areas like cattle selection, facilities, health, nutrition, and marketing, raising beef cattle can be an extremely rewarding lifestyle and income opportunity.