How to Raise Beef Calves on Grass & Corn
You can raise a single beef calf or even a small herd on a few acres of land in many parts of the country. Calves do well foraging on grass pastures when their diet is supplemented with a grain like corn. Raising healthy animals to selling or slaughtering size can add to your income or provide you and your family with an affordable source of high-quality protein.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Feed beef calves on a grass pasture that is best suited to your area. An alfalfa-brome-timothy mixture works best in the Midwest, according to Charles A. Sanders, author of “The Self-Reliant Homestead.” Sanders recommends a mixture of ladino and grass in the north-central states, and lespedeza in the southern states. Contact your county extension agent for advice on the best type of pasture for your area.
-
2
Match the number of calves you want to raise to the pasture’s carrying capacity. While a single head of cattle raised in an arid state requires up to 20 acres of pasture, that same animal raised in the Midwest might easily manage with only 1 acre of quality pasture. Work with your county extension agent to determine the proper ratio of calves to pasture.
-
-
3
Put your beef calves on pasture when they have reached 400 to 450 pounds – animals smaller than this typically perform poorly.
-
4
Increase your calves’ weight gain by supplementing their foraging diet with corn, providing 2 to 4 pounds per day, per calf, in a feed trough. Start with the lower number and gradually increase the amount over a 10- to 14-day period.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Healthy calves are the foundation of your enterprise. If you buy your calves rather than raise them yourself, purchase them from a reputable seller.
Provide adequate water for your stock; a typical cow can drink 12 gallons of water daily.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
