Cow Shopping

[Mini Horses]

You're so right...home beef is sooo much better!! used to raise 6-8 at time. Family got 2-3, others sold and paid for ours. Those days left when DH passed. I've considered raising again, have the pasture but, buying a qtr also works! Only me. Easier.

Two yrs ago I was given about a doz old bale's of hay, tossed into garden area for that use. Was winter, so let animals in the area to clear and fertilize. Not thinking about that old hay!! Couple weeks later, noticed they were eating it. No mulch left! 🤪

 

[CrealCritter]

My wife's crazy quackers are working their best to make me crazy.

So they discovered they can get right through the tube gate. All but the one that doesn't wattle right, that my wife calls Lame Duck.

So I was minding my own business sitting in the cave with my wife. And next thing I know those crazy quackers are quacking at the door. I turn to my wife and say your crazy quackers are looking for you. She said how did they get out? I put them up already.

So here we are, Wife and I in the dark trying to get the quackers back behind the barn and back into the pasture. Wife opens the gate they walk right in. Wife closes the gate and those crazy quackers when right through the gate to follow my wife. Sigh..

Well you already know the guy who had to wire some fencing to the gate in the dark with only lights from farm truck to help him see. The things a guy does for love, it's truly amazing.

Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

 

[CrealCritter]

If you, extended family and various friends will consume 2 beeves in a year’s time, back up your purchase with 2 weanlings. It takes 2 years for good beef. Time it right and you have 2 ready for slaughter date, 2 coming up behind for next year. Take 2 to slaughter, buy 2 more. Talk to your local growers. You may be able to buy yearlings, but most people around here take calves to auction at 6-8 months old.

That's kind of my plan. But I need to get the other 4 acre pasture fenced in first. I'll be working over the winter to get that done, so by spring it will be completed.

Then I'll look for two angus spring calfs and a processing date for them in the fall.

Two 4 acre pastures for rotation should be ok for 4 angus (2 yearlings and two calfs) during spring, summer and fall and two angus yearling during winter, plus 1 full time dexter.

My wife also wants a dexter heifer to milk. Dexter's are small, so hopefully my plan won't put stress on the pastures.

I don't want too many head and not enough grass. Then again I don't want to few head and leave grass standing either. I realize there will be a balance, of number of head vs what the pastures can support. I'll just have to figure out what that balance is and adjust according.

I'm not raising them for profit. I'm raising them for food. Plus It will be nice to have animals take care of bush-hogging for me instead of me bush hogging with the tractor and have it go to waste.

For graining I can purchase corn right out of the field and have it loaded off the harvester from my neighbor. I think for starters I'll store in 275 gallon totes and see how that works at least they will be easy to move around with my bobcat.

I hope this all makes sense? Trying to live as local as possible and support my local community in the process. Hopefully by this time next year we can put an end to buying beef from the grocery store.

Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

 

[CrealCritter]

Almost done... Just need to set up the watering through. Fetch a old hay round out of the orchard and spread it out in the stalls might take two rounds?. I bought this rubbermaid "stock tank", 150 gallons should be enough I hope. If not it's big enough for both of us to take a bath in.

Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

 

[CrealCritter]

You just can’t beat home grown beef.

You are such an encouragor there I done did it, you caused me create a new word. Every new word needs a definition

Encouragor (n) See @baymule

Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

 

[CrealCritter]

Kroger 92/8 Ground beef, regular $8.99 lb on sale (with Kroger card) $5.99

91 / 9 Ground Beef. Wife didn't see regular price, but reduced from what? To $4.99 lb (with Kroger card).

This is all ground beef we're talking about, crazy...


Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

 

[CrealCritter]

Of course the ducks want to follow your wife. They know a good thing when they see it!

She's doing very well, she's taken over feeding all the fowl and collecting eggs. Ducks, Chickens and Turkeys all seem to love her. I didn't have time to spend time with them like she does. I'm sure she sweet talks them. She does have her ways - just her Hunting Dog. I didn't even ask her to do any of it. I guess she just decided one day she was gonna do it. She asked me a few questions, then took over.

Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

 

[The Porch]

It seems rather odd shopping for feeder angus. I mean it's not like they sell them at Walmart 🤣 for me, I guess it's a good thing I live in Angus country. So this morning, I put the word out on the country grape vine. Looking for two angus black or red weened feeder steers or heifers, accept delivery Monday the 15th. The country grape vine is local word of mouth. It works as good, if not better than market place.

I've got 2 cattle accounted for and process date with our local processor for next fall. All I have left to do is hang 2 16' gates and set up a water through, Lord willing I'll have that done Saturday..

Offers are just starting to come in. First picture came in.
View attachment 17035

More to follow, I'm sure.


Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

OUTSTANDING!!!

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

I've got processing date of Oct 10 2022 and two Hereford / Angus cross bulls in bands becoming steers. If all is good, they will be delivered Dec 1st. Estimated weight is about 500 lbs each. I'm quite sure winter husbandry of these two steers will be a lot different than CCX chickens I did last year.

I'll also be following up with 2 beef calfs this spring and a late fall 2023 processing date. It'll be so nice to put an end to buying store bought beef.

Lots of planning and replanning, finally starting to come together. Which is so nice.

Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸

That sounds awesome, sounds like you will have a steady flow of beef for your family. And yes, maybe a little different than the chickens.

 

[CrealCritter]

Those are insane prices. Thankful I bought from the school farm when I did.

She won't buy regular 80/20 ground beef and it must be no hormone or biotics added kind. Even still, prices are crazy...

Jesus is Lord and Christ 🙏❤️🇺🇸