How to Raise Beef Cattle on a Few Acres

Raising cattle on a small acreage can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to produce your own high-quality beef. With some planning and preparation, you can raise cattle successfully even if you only have a few acres. Here are some tips for raising beef cattle on a small farm.

Select the Right Breed

When raising cattle on limited acreage, select breeds that are efficient grazers and have good maternal traits. Some recommended breeds include:

Angus – Known for efficient growth, calving ease and carcass quality. One of the most popular breeds.
Hereford – Hardy, adaptable breed that efficiently converts grass to beef. Calm temperament.
Dexter – Small dual purpose breed, producing both milk and meat. Efficient grazers requiring less acreage.
Galloway – Hardy breed adapted to harsh climates. Efficient grazers requiring minimal inputs.
Highland – Long-haired Scottish breed adapted to poor forage. Thrives on marginal pasture.

Avoid high-maintenance breeds that require significant inputs. Crossbreeding can also produce excellent results on a small operation.

Provide Adequate Pasture

Even a few acres can support several head of cattle with proper pasture management. Rotate cattle through multiple paddocks to prevent overgrazing. Include legumes like clover or alfalfa in pasture mixes to increase protein.

Well-managed intensive rotational grazing allows for increased stocking density. Divide pastures into smaller paddocks using electric fencing. Move cattle to fresh paddocks frequently, allowing grazed paddocks time to regrow.

Overseed and fertilize pastures to boost yields. Install a watering system so water is easily accessible in each paddock. Provide shade for cattle comfort.

Supplement Feed

Depending on stocking density and pasture quality, you may need to supplement with hay and grain. During winter or droughts, cattle will require additional hay. Feed 1-2% of bodyweight per day in hay.

Provide grain supplements to cattle with increased nutritional needs like lactating cows, calves and bulls. Feed grain starting at 0.5% of bodyweight per day. Increase up to 2% for late gestation cows.

Use slow feeders to prevent gorging and competition. Offer free-choice minerals for optimal nutrition and health. Work with an extension agent or nutritionist when formulating rations.

Facilities and Fencing

Even small operations need some infrastructure for handling cattle. Essential facilities include:

Corral system for gathering, sorting and loading animals
Head catch or squeeze chute for exams and treatments
Loading ramp for transporting animals
Shelter for calving and inclement weather
Hay and equipment storage

Use sturdy fencing like woven wire or barbed wire to contain cattle. Electric fencing works well for dividing pastures into paddocks. Provide a minimum of 1 linear foot of bunk space per animal when feeding hay.

Health Management

Pre

Managing a Small Cattle Herd

FAQ

How many acres do you need to raise beef cattle?

A typical 1 AU, 1,000 lb, cow might require as much as 8 acres (3.2 ha) on poor quality pasture with low precipitation or as little as about 0.27 acres (0.11 ha) on an irrigated pasture in excellent condition.

How many cows can you raise on 2 acres?

You may have heard a rule-of-thumb is that it takes 1.5 to 2 acres to feed a cow calf pair for 12 months. That means we should be able to have 10 to 13 cows.

Is it worth it to raise a cow for meat?

Free access to trace mineral and high-magnesium blocks, water, and pasture all help to turn out fine beef, much leaner than “store-bought” and at a competitive cost. As one might expect, the first thing to consider when comparing home-raised versus store-bought meat is quality.