Homesteaders

[Chicken girl 15]

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You can raise beef and dairy cattle together - they don't know they're different, lol.  And, you can do 100% grass fed in NY; I know someone who does.  You don't have to be able to graze year-round, just be able to provide enough good hay during the winter and any possible droughts.  (I'm in WV - we DO have winter!)

100 acres is a lot of fencing for an 'all at once' job - that's three or four straight weeks of fence work = painful!  You can easily do electric on step-in posts for rotation paddocks, but you're going to need a good perimeter fence - unless that's already in place? 

You can look up the farm at Sarver Heritage Farm dot com (without spaces) or find it on FB; I can be reached much more reliably at either of those than on BYC. While I don't hang out online a lot, those are daily check-ins; BYC is more of a random stop during hatching seasons ,
[/quote the fencing will be one paddock at a time. There are currently 3 paddock that are fenced with electric already. Each is 3-5 acres. Its nice thick green from about mid April until the first bad snow. Plus I can use the unfenced to grow for winter. There is water to each paddock and a run in. So I could start this year on cattle as long as I can convince my husband.

As for the extra year I have to wait for grow out, no big deal. Healthy is worth waiting for. I grew up in Texas so grass fed is my preference.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

@GerbilsOnToast @OrganicFarmWife I am fairly sure neither @Raech nor myself had any intent on starting a feud about cattle raising. Everyone has opinions about it, none are wrong or right just different. We can all choose the information we think best and leave the rest.

I am not a farmer, Rancher, or anything of the sort. I'm a mother of 5 who raises chickens and has a garden. Yes I plan on growing my homestead to include large animals BUT not until I have done enough research I feel comfortable. This website is one of my ways to get information I need. Please no belittling one another or argument.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

@GerbilsOnToast @OrganicFarmWife I am fairly sure neither @Raech nor myself had any intent on starting a feud about cattle raising. Everyone has opinions about it, none are wrong or right just different. We can all choose the information we think best and leave the rest.

I am not a farmer, Rancher, or anything of the sort. I'm a mother of 5 who raises chickens and has a garden. Yes I plan on growing my homestead to include large animals BUT not until I have done enough research I feel comfortable. This website is one of my ways to get information I need. Please no belittling one another or argument.

Exactly as you should

 

[Chicken girl 15]

I'm going to be clear on my wording here. An ask there be no grrrr in response to my question. Thank you in advance and anyone with an opinion on the matter please chime in.

What are a few of the best breeds os cattle for both milk and meat? I will need both as we drink a ton of milk and with 5 teens there is never enough hamburger or steak.

Yes we are very aware fresh milk compared to store milk is thicker and we think it is fantastic.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Here is a sample list of dual purpose cattle that I have read up on a little bit - some are considered triple purpose as they are used as oxen also (Devon).

Milking Shorthorn
Devon
Sussex
Dexter
Kerry
Black Welsh

A standard dairy cow will provide a lot of burger when butchered - just not so good for steak...

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

This is from a friend with a small dairy (I asked because was curious and honestly have it on my someday list too)
"Our favorite cow is the Guernsey, they are super mellow and easy to work with, they are average sized for a milk cow. Jersey's are smaller and can be nice. There are a few rare breed cows that are nice like Milking Devon and Kerry Cattle, they are smaller and do well on low quality forage but won't have as much milk. Or if they are really tight on space maybe look at some of the milking goats"

 

[Loc20chick]

Been busy playing in the dirt tonight just about have all of my plugs transplanted into bigger pots. I have all kinds of repurposed pots that i have saved over time, found around my farm, and also some washed/used solo cups! I have about 30 more tomatoes then they are done. Peppers are still quite small and will need more time before transplant

nice!!!!

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Here is a sample list of dual purpose cattle that I have read up on a little bit - some are considered triple purpose as they are used as oxen also (Devon).

Milking Shorthorn
Devon
Sussex
Dexter
Kerry
Black Welsh

A standard dairy cow will provide a lot of burger when butchered - just not so good for steak...

hmmm a cow that I can work as well as milk and eat?! That sounds like a good idea. I see research in my future (tonight even). As far as dairy cow being only good for burger at butcher, that's ok for us. We eat a lot of chilli and tacos so burger is a must.

 

[duluthralphie]

I do not understand the term "dual purpose"... As I understand it once you make burgers or chicken breasts out of a dual purpose animal, it looses the ability to fulfill the other purpose. Unless you take a drum stick or ham and give them a wooden peg for a leg.

 

[Woodsdweller]

On our farm we raised Hereford for milk and beef. They worked well for us.