Raising cattle can be a lucrative endeavor for any livestock producer, but with a little extra research and networking, even the smallest cattle operation can excel in a competitive market. You will invest significantly in your operation, so prepare yourself with all of the information and resources the Internet has to offer before you start purchasing breeding heifers.
Find cattle for sale online and through professional associations for a variety of markets:
1. Buy dairy cattle with high-yield milk production genetics, and implement a genetics program that emphasizes synchronized, low-birth-weight calving practices.
2. Use technology and pedigree tracking to produce purebred beef cattle that are suitable for replacement breeding stock.
3. Develop your dairy cattle or beef cattle operation to produce winning show cattle by following show trends and producing to suit judges and buyers.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Stay current with beef cattle prices to maximize your profits
Most small farmers don't worry about worldwide cattle prices, but with family farms falling victim to large cattle-producing conglomerates, small farmers should use any information available to gain an edge over big business.
I recommend: Plan regular visits to the
United States Department of Agriculture's commodity report for beef and cattle. Customize a high-tech market report using
TFC Commodity Charts.
Find specific breeds of cattle for sale nationwide
No matter which breeds of cattle you plan to buy, you can find great resources online. If you're not comfortable with online buying -- which is most often via secure networks to protect your information and involves buyer and seller vetting to ensure valid transactions -- at least browse online ads to get a feel for market prices for heifer, bred cow and bred cow/calf packages.
I recommend: Search for replacement stock by cattle breeds at
Buy Sell Cows, or register for a buyer membership at
CattleRoundUp.com.
Improve your cattle ranching operation through championship genetic upgrades
If your cattle company deals in purebred stock, especially replacement heifers and show cattle, you need to follow showing trends to keep producing conformationally sound calves that judges -- and buyers -- will appreciate. Sell for the national purebred show circuit if you want to truly maximize profit, but remember that genetics, artificial insemination and embryo transfer requirements for modern pure breeding require substantial start-up investment.
I recommend: Find genetic resources for raising beef cattle steers at The Breeders'
World Beef Breeders Directory. Or, sign up for the
Showsteers.com newsletter and keep up with the latest winners -- and their pedigrees -- in the show cattle circuit.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Assisted livestock breeding programs are a big investment, so work closely with a veterinarian you trust to develop a breeding plan. Embryo transfer, for example, takes months of preparation, semen procurement (and storage), fertility cycle synchronization and laboratory facilities to flush and select viable embryos. Make sure your veterinarian can handle those demands, as well as any medical or calving emergencies that crop up at your facility.
The official source of Buying and Breeding Goats is the Cattle page at Business.com
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