Keeping only a few cows means your land won’t be overwhelmed. Cows take up a lot of space and may eat pastures to ruin if you aren’t careful. If you have the money and experience, starting with a whole herd is possible, but be careful. Make sure you have barn and pasture space.
Beef ranchers tend to rely on public lands or good pastures. To have a healthy herd, you need plenty of land space. The cows roam around and forage a lot. The overhead cost to start up is comparatively low besides purchasing land. You may not be able to find good grasslands in some areas, while the beef market may be competitive in others.
The startup costs are greater in dairy farming than beef farming. Dairy farms need extra equipment, such as stanchions and milking machines. The cows require quality hay. To get the cows to produce milk, you may wish to keep a bull around. Bulls are a little trickier to handle safely. If you don’t want bulls, use artificial insemination, then sell male calves for extra profit.
You need a separate calving bard and also have to consider keeping a bull or using artificial insemination. Calves are quick profit because you don’t need to wait for them to grow up. Don’t sell all of your calves, though. Keep a few for your farm.
If you leave too many cows in a pasture, they eat all of the grass. To prevent this, farmers rotate the cows to different fields. As long as you’re careful not to strain your resources, your fields will continue to produce roughage.
Refer back to your plan when you need to refocus on your goals or deal with problems. Keep in mind that all businesses start small. A cattle farm requires a lot of initial investment before you begin making money. Focus on proving how you plan on opening a sustainable business first, then how you intend on growing it.
Structuring your business as a sole proprietorship often saves you tax expenses, but you are liable for all debts, even if your business fails. A partnership is similar to a sole proprietorship, except you share costs with another investor. Consider bringing in a partner that provides additional start-up money or farming knowledge. Starting a limited liability corporation means more taxes, but you aren’t personally liable for your business debts.
The tax ID number allows you to legally hire employees, if you need them. After you receive your tax ID number, be sure to submit a copy to your local or state government. They usually need it as well.
You may need to apply for a federal license if you transport animals across state lines. In the U. S. , you do this on the Department of Agriculture’s website. Use your business license to fill out zoning and other permits required to operate a business. The exact forms you need differ from place to place, but you usually do not need a federal permit. Look for small business organizations such as the Small Business Administration in the U. S. They will help you get your business up and running.
Speak with agricultural and small business organizations. Many of them can direct you to more reasonable loans than what you would get from banks. Bring your business plan with you. It increases your chances of getting a loan. Remember to start small to avoid overspending. Many farmers continue doing other work until business picks up.
Land prices increase in areas of high population or high demand. Compare land prices across different areas and keep an eye on how many cattle farms are in each place. To save money, try buying an existing farm. Many places already have facilities and fencing laid out for cattle, which saves you some of the work needed to convert the land. Another option for beginning a farm is to rent someone else’s land. You may be able to find landowners who can’t farm the land themselves or aren’t willing to.
Factors such as climate, seasonal variances, local cattle markets, regional vegetation, and topography differ from place to place. These all affect your farm, so select your location carefully. The amount of pasture space you need may vary. Fit more cows onto limited space by providing more hay. Rotate pastures frequently to prevent overgrazing.
Find out if the land is suitable for a pasture or a range. Rangelands have natural vegetation for grazing animals like cattle. Pastures require seeding, irrigation, and mowing to be sustainable. [12] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source Speak with your neighbors as well. Many farmers are open to visitors. Even commercial farms have open days for the public. These people often know the land better than anyone and will provide a lot of useful information about beginning a farm.
If you are into beef production, start with a docile breed. Herefords, Red Polls, Shorthorns, Galloways, and British Whites are some examples. Black Angus cattle are a popular source of beef, but they are a little tricky for beginners. Angus bulls are known to be more aggressive than those from other breeds, so be careful. For dairy production, the most popular breeds are Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, and Ayrshire. Jersey cows are the most versatile breed. They are often used for both beef and dairy as well as for breeding calves.
Heifers are an option if you don’t mind waiting 2 or more years to produce calves for sale. You may also be able to buy a bred cow with their previous calf to get a return on your investment right away. You do not need to get a bull unless you do not wish to use artificial insemination. If you choose to keep a bull, wait until you have 10 or more cows.
Beef cattle don’t require much in the way of extra facilities beyond well-supplied barns.
Depending on the land you start on, you may need to install plumbing or irrigation systems. Hire a contractor to direct water to your fields and barns.
You may need to buy hay or other feed, especially during the winter. This gets pricey, so you will be better off if you have good pastures. Cows graze for food, but they may destroy your fields if you’re not careful. You do this by moving the cows to different pastures every day so they graze each field lightly.
Confining your cattle ensures they can’t wander off your farm. It also prevents them from getting into pastures and destroying them by overgrazing. .
Some other people to think about are your buyers and suppliers. Have a guy that sells you feed, for instance. Get friendly with anyone you sell to. You all benefit by working with one another, so they may be able to help you during tough times. Avoid neglecting your neighbors, farming organizations, or similar groups. They can all provide support and resources for your new farm.
If you don’t wish to make your own compost, have a disposal plan for throwing away the manure. Check your local laws. Some areas have regulations on what you can do with the manure
For example, keep health records for your animals. Use the records to remind yourself when the cows need vaccinations or are calving. Proper documentation may help you identify health problems before they get serious. In some countries, having records for all of your animals is mandatory. You may need to get a radio frequency tag for each animal bought, sold, or born on your farm.
