Buying weaners to grow and sell - whats involved?

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Sun, 03/25/2012 - 17:03 #1

Member for

12 years 9 months
dreamingcityboy
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 03/23/2012 - 16:08

Buying weaners to grow and sell - whats involved?

Hi,

Could someone point me in the right direction in regards to what is involved in growing and selling cattle?

I'm sure it is not as simple as buying weaner steers, sticking them in the back paddock and mustering them 12 months later, but in reality what is involved? From my reading, it seems like this would be the best way for me to start my transition into rural life.

Thanks

Adam

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Sun, 03/25/2012 - 21:38 #2
Alternate RV
Last seen: 10/05/2012 - 08:43
Joined: 01/08/2012 - 08:23

Hi Adam,

Look at www.mla.com.au and your state regulatory bodies for me it's www.dpi.vic.gov.au

It sounds like you are reading about cattle production up the northern end where beasts are running wild as such and then mustered at a later date. These are big land holding with numerous water points and expansive feed. Where are you looking to establish your farm??

Dane

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Mon, 03/26/2012 - 11:19 #3
dreamingcityboy
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 03/23/2012 - 16:08
Ill try again! Thanks for the reply. Id like a property in NSW, within a few hours of the coast. Possibly around the Mudgee area. For the first few month to year, I won't be living on site and therefore won't be able to do anything intensive. I don't want the property to be "wasted" while Im off site though, so I figure I could buy a number of steers and maybe some goats, rotate them around the paddocks every few weeks for 12 months then sell them off. Am I over-simplifying it all or is this something achievable? Thanks again, Adam
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Mon, 03/26/2012 - 15:25 #4
charlie
Last seen: 12/26/2018 - 09:21
Joined: 05/31/2011 - 09:44

Hi Adam,

Welcome to Farmstyle and thanks for the question.

If you are planning to be an absentee owner, cattle are a good option as they require a lot less work than sheep. For the first few years look to employee someone part time, even if it is just to check around the farm/livestock every few days. A lot can go wrong on a farm if it is left un-attended for a week or more.

Deciding to trade or breed cattle will depend on the type of farm you buy. If the farm has unimproved (native) pastures with a limited fertiliser history, a breeding operation would be best. On the other hand if the farm has improved pastures and attention has been paid to soil testing and regular fertiliser applications, trading would be a better option.

If you compare breeding to trading, there are some big differences. Trading cattle is a more efficient way to convert grass into beef, however it is also more intensive (labour) and higher risk. In contrast a breeding operation has less risk and more wastage as the cow has to be maintained throughout the year, with her only capable of producing one calf per year. In some instances it is possible to produce double the amount of beef per hectare by trading rather than breeding.

If you do decide to trade cattle, you are going to need to work with a reputable stock and station agent as buying quality cattle will be important. Ideally you will want to establish a target market, this way you will know the type (age, breed, weight) of cattle that you want to buy and when they need to be sold. An example would be backgrounding cattle for a feedlot that supplies the supermarket trade. In this example you could buy cattle in at 220-250kg, background them for a feedlot targeting 350-380kg and do this a number of times throughout the year.

When you buy cattle they should be inducted (drench, ear tag, vaccinate, weigh, NLIS transfer) upon arrival and then animal health and weight gains monitored as time progresses.

Regards,

Charlie

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Wed, 03/28/2012 - 12:17 #5
dreamingcityboy
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 03/23/2012 - 16:08

Thanks Charlie, your help is greatly appreciated!

I definitely won't be running sheep at the start, I have no interest in them. My interest lies in poultry, cattle and goats.

Hiring someone to look after the place a little while I'm off site was always my intention also.

Your advise about getting an agent is also great, I'm sure if I didn't have one I'd be able to buy cattle without trouble but then have no one to sell them to.

I think I'd be able to do it. It will be a lot to learn, but thats what life is about! I guess it's time to sit down with the pen, paper and calculator to see what I can trully afford!

Thanks again, Adam.

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