Guide to Beef Cow-calf Enterprises:
As many small farm and ranch owners look at uses of their existing land resources, one
of the livestock enterprises they often consider is beef cow-calf production. This
enterprise provides producers an opportunity to raise and sell feeder calves or maintain
ownership all the way to the processing plant. Looking at a pasture with a group of baby
calves running around the pasture enjoying the summer sun and tall grass is a rewarding
experience. Like most livestock systems the cow-calf industry does present some
challenges in both time and capital to be successful.
In 2007 the U.S. has a total of 758,000 cow-calf producers and 77% of those producers or
585,000 had herds of less than 50 head. These herds account the vast majority of owners,
but produce 28% of the annual U.S. calf crop. Many of these small herds are used to
supplement income and utilize land not suitable for crop production through beef cowcalf production.
The Decisions:
As you look at entering the cow-calf business on a small scale or larger here are some
items for you to consider before you purchase cows or purchase livestock equipment.
Here are some questions for you to consider before you begin:
What are your reasons for becoming a cow-calf producer?
What are your goals?
Is it necessary that this venture generate income?
If so, is there a market for the calves?
How long do you intend to be in the business?
What are the time requirements?
What are the required investments?
Will your local county or zoning authority allow you to raise cattle on your
property or limit the number of head you can have on your operation?
What is unique about undertaking this operation in Wisconsin versus other states?
If you decide to get out of the business is it easy to exit and sell the cattle
inventory and equipment?
Facilities:
Since Wisconsin has a wide range in seasonal temperatures it is important that we
provide shelter from the cold and wind in the winter and shade from the hot sun in the
summer. Many producers can utilize existing barns in the winter for wind protection. It is
not necessary to house mature cows during the winter. Many producers chose to out
winter their cows in areas where there is protection from the wind. This can be a woods, a
small valley or a windbreak made of wood or round bales stacked to a height of 10 feet.
Soil type is another important consideration and heavy clay soils result in muddy
conditions and lots that are slow to dry compared to sandy soils that have good drainage
and little mud. Having sloping fields or lots helps reduce muddy conditions and
increases animal comfort.
Since beef cows can often exceed 1400 lbs in weight it is important that the producer
have some handing facilities to restrain cattle for treatments and vaccinations. A small
corral and crowding alley with a head gate are important when cattle are handled.
Beef cows require a secure perimeter fence and Wisconsin Statute 90 defines the
requirements of a legal fence. A fence can be barbed wire, woven wire, or high tensile
fence with a minimum height of 50 inches for the outside perimeter fence. Many beef
cattle producers chose to rotationally graze cattle and a single strand of electrified fence
is often used to separate these grazing cells or paddocks within the farm perimeter.
Since we normally have 7-8 months of grazing in Wisconsin it is necessary to also have a
winter feed supply of hay lasting for 4-5 months. How this hay is stored will have an
affect on the quality and reduce the amount of loss. Hay stored inside a barn or shed has
the least amount of loss and uncovered hay stored outside on the ground can have up to a
40% loss. With higher hay and feed prices proper storage of the winter feed supply is one
of the keys to reducing the winter feed expense which in a typical herd represents 40 %
of the cost of annual cow maintenance.
Reproduction:
Cow-calf producers derive 85-90 % of their income from the sales of calves so it is
important that every cow in the herd wean a calf. In Wisconsin a majority of herds calve
in the spring to take advantage of the lush spring grass growth which supplies the cow
with adequate energy to feed her calf and rebreed. Since the gestation period for a cow is
285 days it is important that a cow rebreed within 80 days after calving to stay on a
regular calving interval. Some producers in Wisconsin are calving in the fall with calves
arriving in September with rebreeding occurring in December. This avoids the wet cold
conditions that sometimes occur with spring calving.
Rebreeding will require you keep a bull with your cows which can present some concerns
about safety of family members. Most recommendations for the number of bulls in the
herd are one bull for every 25 cows. Some herds use artificial insemination for rebreeding
to avoid the risk of bull ownership and to gain access to the top genetics that artificial
insemination company’s offer. AI requires that you daily check for signs of estrous and
then inseminate 12 hours after standing heat.
Nutrition:
For many cow-calf operations the primary feed for beef cows in pasture grazing and
stored hay in the winter months. Where available, grazing crop resideues of corn stalks or
small grain fields after harvest of the grain can help exend the forage supply. A critical
time period for increased energy needs is immediately after calving since the cow is
trying to nurse a calf, recover from calving, and rebreed within 80 days. Many producers
save their highest quality hay for this period or supplement the cow with a limited
amount of grain, usually 5-6 lbs of corn. Once the calves are weaned (normally at 7
months of age), the cow’s energy requirements are reduced until the next calving season,
so lower quality forages can be utilized.
Calves derive all their feed from cow’s milk and by grazing with the cow. Once the
calves are weaned it is important that the calf receive a high energy, high protein ration.
This is often high quality hay or pasture with a grain mixture of corn or oats. Often a
commercial protein source is added at this time to ensure the calves have enough protein
for rapid growth.
Breed Selection:
Deciding which breed of cattle to raise is an important decision and you have over 40
breeds to chose from. You must also decide if you want to a purebred or commercial
cattle operation. Purebred herds are normally in the business to sell seedstock to
commercial herds and require buying cows and bulls that are registered with a breed
association. Commercial herds are interested in producing calves for the market place and
have the advantage of being able to crossbred by using bulls from different breeds as the
industry needs change. You have numerous choices when it comes to deciding on a breed
of cattle to raise. Visit a few beef operations to learn more about individual breeds for
attend a state fair or beef expo to learn more about individual breeds of cattle.
Health/Biosecurity:
Keeping cattle healthy is one of the keys to success in a cow-calf operation. Work with a
local veterinarian to set up a vaccination schedule for your herd. It is always easier and
more effective to prevent disease through proper vaccinations than to treat a disease.
Respiratory disease are often the biggest challenges herds face and it is important to have
good ventilation in buildings during the winter. Calves are also under increased stress at
weaning so reducing dust in pens or corrals at weaning is a essential to avoid respiratory
diseases.
As new animals are acquired it is important they be separated from the main herd for a
few weeks. This reduces the chance of introduction of new diseases from new purchases.
Manure Management:
Keep in mind each cow is capable of producing 9 tons of manure each year. For most
producers during the grazing season the cow is spreading the manure in the pasture.
Winter months often result in manure concentration in feeding areas so you need some
method of manure distribution. For most this is done with a loader tractor and manure
spreader with the manure used as a fertilizer source for a grain field or pasture. Producers
without this equipment will often move the hay feeders weekly to avoid a buildup of
manure in one area and more evenly distribute the nutrients in the feeding area. It is
recommended that you have two acres for manure distribution for each cow-calf pair you
have in your herd.