Question about what type of cattle to run?

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Wed, 06/15/2016 - 22:31 #1

Member for

9 years 3 months
Johny32
Last seen: 09/08/2017 - 12:21
Joined: 07/24/2015 - 20:44

Question about what type of cattle to run?

When people buy underweight cattle to fatten up what breed do they usually go for or do they just go for anything that is cheap? also, do genetics affect the price you get? and is it better to buy an underweight yearling to fatten or a full grown cow to fatten?

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Sun, 06/19/2016 - 17:19 #2
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi,

I haven't bought drought affected cattle, but many graziers I know have and basically it is buy the ones that look like they will survive the truck trip to your property. Breed doesn't matter. You usually buy them inland from droughted areas, put them on good grazing and feed for 6 months and then sell them. My advice is, check them before you buy them to make sure they are healthy and have them dipped or sprayed at the yards, where you are buying them, if it is a known tick area. When you get them home to your property, keep them in the yards and feed them for 7-10 days, to let them empty any weed seeds out of their gut before you release them. This also helps them get used to you, as their new owner.

  

If you are buying fit cattle at the sales, there are two breeds which appear to be very popular at present and they are, Murray Grey, which I breed and Black Angus. However, in hotter climbs up North, they often prefer Brahman, Droughtmaster, Belmont Red or Simmantahl. So I guess breed prefference is personal, but also depends upon the climate. I know that a few years back, Coles wouldn't buy steers that didn't have an infusion of Hereford.

 

So I guess, as I said, it is a personal choice as to which breed you have, but at the moment, cattle prices are good anyway no matter what breed you choose.

 

Cheers,

Barb

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