Saw a bumper-sticker on a United Pilot's flight-bag in ORD Ops when I was a new-hire:

"If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of MEAT!"

 

Cows LOVE corn, so do deer. so do turkeys. so do chickens. hogs also.

 

In my 10 years as a 4-H member raising beef steers, I never had one turn away from the feed. The cow's 4 stomachs were designed to eat just about anything. That's why cows can eat so many types of foods, compared to horses, they are pretty sensative to what they eat.

My father-in-law raises beef for commecial sale, not a huge operation, just 50 head of cows, so 50 fat-cattle at any time, plus the next years fat-cattle just being born. We split 1/4-1/2 beef with him, and some other family and friends, and it is by far some of the better meat I've had. I don't know about the cholesterol levels, etc..., but I do know that they aren't as greasy when you prepare any of the store bought stuff. This thread is making me hungry

 

The Grass-Fed Revolution - TIME

This article provides a pretty good summary of some of the other things I've read regarding it. I think it tastes better and grass has a lot lower impact on the environment than cornfields do. I also like the fact that I can go to the butcher shop a mile away, and buy beef from a farmer three miles from my front door. It costs less than going to the supermarket around here too. I'm big on buying from small, local business where I can.

 

maybe, but not with gravy since it's made with butter or meat fat

Seriously, though you can also find grass fed beef at Trader Joe's, Sunflower Market, or any smaller natural foods place like that, it's a little cheaper than Whole Foods.

 

Sky,

here in TN, I have 410 acres of prime cattle land. Currently my farm hosts 134 head of beef. Well I guess that number is now 137(just had three calves born over the past couple of weeks)... We do a Alack Angus/Charlotte mix...

All of our beef is free range, and grass/hay fed.

You are right, it is just plain better beef. It is all I eat. Since I moved back home to my farm, I cannot remember buying meat at the local grocer.


We sell to the cattle market / stock yards locally, and if you have the land there is a business to be had and profit to be made... Take it from someone who has grown up in the beef business, Once you cross the 50 head mark, it becomes a whole different ball game... As you know the upkeep and maintenance on a farm is outstanding.

DO you grow your own hay? Or do you buy it from someone else... I do not know how your fields are but down here, during the winter months we have supplement our cattle with a steady supply of hay/alfalfa ...


If you have any questions, I would be glad to tell you anything I can.

 

Wow, that sounds like fun. I hope to have a big herd like that one day. I never thought I would be cattleman.

Right now we are cell grazing. My plan is to save a few pastures for them to graze on over the winter and supplement with bailed alfalfa.

We are totally new to the cattle business but so far it has been a lot of fun.

Skyhigh

 

First question.... Square or round bailed?

I dont know about the market where you are... Now that I think about it, I have no idea where you are. But around here a square bail of good alfalfa is anywhere from 5-15 dollars. Seeing as how a single cow/bull will go through any where from 10-15 of those a week, during the hardest parts of the winter, that is going to get expensive quick. If you have the land, I would suggest fencing off 10-20 acres for just good hay. Cut, Rake and Bail it yourself. It is a big investment upfront, but it will pay off in the long term, many many many times over. We Bail/Roll 50+acres of hay/alfalfa every year...

I can recommend a few names of good equipment if you arent certain on what to buy.

It is alot of work, but it is quite rewarding at the end of the year.

 

Why do I suddenly want to watch some Green Acres reruns?