

Producers should start by determining if they wish to raise purebred or commercial stock. Other producers may prefer to purchase weaned animals, also known as feeders, to raise to market weight.

Some producers choose to breed females to produce calves to sell for breeding stock or market animals. The intended markets may dictate what breed or breeds are best suited for the operation. This decision should directly reflect the markets a producer has available to sell beef cattle and consider the resources available on the farm and the producer's individual goals.īeef cattle may be used to produce meat or generate seedstock (breeding animals).

The first thing to decide when starting a new beef cattle enterprise is what type of animals to raise. What to feed and how to care for your animals' health.How to breed and raise your beef cattle.What equipment you'll need to raise your animals.What to look for as the ideal characteristics.About the different breeds and how to select the right one for you.How to decide what type of animal you should raise.This fact sheet may be used as a guide for beef cattle producers just getting started in the industry to learn: Savvy producers will let markets identify the type of animals they should raise in order to generate a profit. Producers also need to consider how they will feed their animals and what health care practices they will use to keep the animals healthy. In addition to managing resources, new producers must ask themselves, What do I need to get started? This question involves considerations for the type of animals a producer wishes to raise as well as where to find these animals, how to select them, and what equipment will be needed for the operation. To raise beef cattle sustainably, you must manage these resources. Each livestock enterprise has different resources: land, labor, capital, feed, and management. However, there are a number of management skills that each beef producer should have to be successful. Raising beef cattle for profit can be a satisfying enterprise.
