Cattle care??

[BigAinaBuilt]

Hello again guys! I came across a few acres up for lease with the stipulation that I put a cow in it! I am completely clueless as to the first thing about a cow but have found a few for sale here. I was wondering if anyone could offer any pointers as to how to or where to start?? The cows I am looking at are tame and can be hand fed, I figured this would make them easier to work with when feeding?? I am mostly looking at this lease for hunting purposes but am gonna need to place at least a cow or 2 on it. Thank you for any advice or help offered!

There are troughs and water on the site already so I shouldn't have to bring in water.

[Rockin-P-Ranch]

I would get a couple of steers.Unless you are going to raise calves to sell the steers are alot easier to take care of. Where I live it takes about 3 acres per head to run cattle. As for as feed Range cubes a couple of times a week should be good enough to keep them gentel.In the winter some hay and cubes should keep them going.When you get tierd of messing with them put on the trailor and sell them and do it all over again. The land owner wants the cattle on the property to keep the taxs lower under the agg exemption. Let me know if this helps any.

[country man 563]

ive got to agree with Rockin-P  id go with steers unless you want to do a cow calf operations, but steers would be the way to go like he said when you get bore with the sale them if not you've got sumthen to put in the frezzer.  one other suggetion if your going to do steers id go to the local market and find what type of steers are bring the best money that way you dont put your self in hole

[boarwild]

i on the other hand would not go with steers.  most leases around where i hunt do not allow steers just because they seem to be more distructive.  They only allow registered type cow calf operations.  i would be sure you know all stipulations with the owner.  i have had some people bring in some steers and they tear up fences and the land owner makes them pay for everything, so if your going to buy steers be sure you have some agreement with the land owner on up keep.  it's just my opinion though, and what i know is what i have experinced in my area. 

[BigAinaBuilt]

Thanks for the pointers guys! The property I am looking at is 36 acres and the owner didn't mention why he wanted cattle on it, I actually asked if I could go with a few Mouflon Hybrids but he was very set on the cattle! I will definately check in with him to see if he has a preference as to steer or heifers. Thanks again guys!

[3-Bdogs]

? why one or two cows or are you goin to put more than that sounds like he wants ag exemption and if thats the case you need a min of 6 head and if you goɜ with cows id get f1 crosses adapt well raise calves good jmo hope it helps

[BigAinaBuilt]

Well guys I got ahold of the owner and he says he doesn't have a preference of what kind of cow I bring in as long as I've got 3 in the pasture at minimal because his grandfather raised cattle in it and recently passed on so he wants to continue to see cattle in it! I also found out there is a 2 year old Beefmaster/ Shorthorn cross (?) already in the pasture and she comes as part of the deal if I want her. I am completely clueless about these different breeds of cattle but am researching and cramming as much info as I can get in before I make any decisions. This lease has a couple mango and Orange orchards on it and the signs of the pigs are nice and its got me excited but I just have to figure out this cattle situation. I also was wondering about the cow that is already in the pasture, She should produce milk at maturity but what happens if I don't milk her?? 

[Silverton Boar Dogs]

Her calf will do the milking, not you, haha and you will need a bull if you are going to get any calves. Buying young steers/ heifers tend to be a little wild at first and may jump the fence, get sick or other wise cause you some problems if you don't have any cattle experance.

[BigAinaBuilt]

The only cattle experience I've got Silverton is when I take my kids to McD's! Or when I am screaming at my dogs "No cow!"  I am contemplating bringing in a few Brahman steers right now and maybe seperating her from the boys to avoid an accident?? I am sure there are a buttload of other variables I have yet to contemplate! lol Thanks for the words of wisdom!

[Silverton Boar Dogs]

Ummm....Steers will be fine with the cow, they can't breed.

[country man 563]

silverton is right, but i strongly say stay away from brahman steers(dang floppy ears are nuts!!!!  ). the cow thats out there is a good cross, i personaly raise reg. beefmasters and that make dang good mama cows. the big question is what type of range is it? i wouldn't go wth a full blood brahman but sumthen crossed would work great. if you can find sumone with F1 cows thats put a english type bull with them that would be the way to go cause they make good meat calfs and  you can still make your money at the market

[BigAinaBuilt]

Ummm....Steers will be fine with the cow, they can't breed.

Haha! I told you I was clueless! I thought the steer meant it was a boy! I really don't wanna get into castrating my bulls, I will keep looking around and hopefully come across a few cows for sale on Craigslist as I see a few ads on there quite often! Thanks guys for all the help!

Country man 563-By what does the range look like I am guessing you're asking bout the lot??
 

[cward]

Go find you some Brahman wild one's and you will hang them hog dogs up and starts chaseing cattle!! No hoe many acres what part of the country of texas is it in!! That will tell you how many cows and what type of cattle you need to put in it!! If you need any help let me know and I will see what I can do!!

[Texas_Cur]

Island cattle, I like the sound of that.

Are there a lot of cattle in Hawaii?
   

[country man 563]

its good looking pasture land.  depending on where your located at check out southeasttexas.com  theres always cattle for sale on there. stick with the beefmaster cross cattle . cward youd really have this man hatein cattle if he got sum brahmans

[BigAinaBuilt]

Yes there are ALOT of cattle here guys! Actually I believe the biggest ranch in the west is here! It's called Parker Ranch and was owned by the Parker family and was alot more connected with the island residents but since has become exclusive if "you're in". They have a website and they offer a few guided hunts but it is WAY outta my wallet range and I live here so I know where the wild ones are!   We have a few wild cattle that escaped or were let to run free but the season on them is speradic (sp) and can be exclusive at times. They are very aggressive also and I definately would have to call up a few friends if I wanted to try and rope one move it! lol That actually sounds like an island boy adventure! lol

[BigAinaBuilt]

Cward it is 37 acres  and full of hog trails and also a few european goats on the bottom side! I may have to start practicing with my bow again!

[jdt]

ho o o ly cow , i hope i'm not the only one thats lost here . big a , your in hawaii ,right?

[cward]

Sorry did not know you were in hawaii !! Would not know anything about that country!!Heck I thought Hawaii was only about 37 acres total!!LOL 

[BigAinaBuilt]

  Yup I am from the Big Island of Hawaii (The island of Hawaii). The state of Hawaii consists of 8 major islands with 1 belonging to a single family and the another was used by the U.S. as a bombing target and given back to the state a few years back but still to this day is pretty barren except for unexploded ordinances!  7 of the 8 islands have hogs on them but if you ask me I believe the Big island has the most variety as far as colors go.