[twistedcreek]

I'm curious as to what is the best breed for subsistence ranching. We have 50 acres in East Texas. Only want about 6 head. I figure one bull and 5 cows. May do one steer to raise to butcher.
What information do I need to know?
As far as inoculations that need to insure a solid head of beef. I don't want to get any other livestock an diseases.

 

[charloisfarmer]

What does substisence ranching mean

 

[twistedcreek]

I want to raise beef for me. With two or three to sell. Small herd.

 

[charloisfarmer]

Oh ok I understand now hahs

 

[charloisfarmer]

Do u have facility's I would look into a easier calving breed what are ur costs gonna be hay fencing facilities vet would it be better to go with a smaller breed dexter zebu i like the dexter there perfect size for small pastures

 

[charloisfarmer]

Are u gonna raise purebred or commercial

 

[twistedcreek]

I have pasture. Also plan to plant and harvest grains for feed. I want a breed or crossbreed that has a higher weight than the zebu. Fencing is a cost no matter what you do.

 

[charloisfarmer]

I would go with angus easier calving breed and put on good wait I like charlois put on lots of weight but may have difficult calving those are the breeds I've been raised around although a red angus xcharlois might be good idk I'm young there's lots of options

 

[twistedcreek]

The charlois are one of the breeds I was looking at. It has been said they do well on natural grasses. I will look up the crossbreed you mentioned. Thx

 

[charloisfarmer]

Ya my grandpa weans charlois calves at 8 months and they weigh around 600-700 pounds on a full grass diet

my grandpas herd he has charlois Holstein reds

 

[twistedcreek]

Ya my grandpa weans charlois calves at 8 months and they weigh around 600-700 pounds on a full grass diet View attachment 371 my grandpas herd he has charlois Holstein reds

Any calfing problems ? I have been reading up on the other crossbreed you spoke of. I hope one day my grandkids will take it over and expand

 

[charloisfarmer]

Ya the big problem with charlois is the calving problem that's why I mentioned the semitall or angus cross breed is because pure bred charlois will calve out 100 pound calves like last year my grandpa had 120 pound calf u really got to watch what bull ur pickling out if ur going with purebred my grandpa always wants lots of length a good shoulder and small head and we look at the hips because that's where they can get stuck is at the hips and shoulders u don't want a wide set a hips

that's my grandpas pen of replacement charlois heifer they've since grown out and looked nice

 

[twistedcreek]

Charlois bull to a Hereford or Angus sounds like a better option. From all the snow I'm guessing not in Texas

 

[charloisfarmer]

Ya semitall are lighter framed angus or herford should be fine I hope I can take over my grandpas cows and do the same thing but I would want to expand

 

[charloisfarmer]

Idk does it matter if u put a charlois bull on angus or angus bull on charlois cows like would that affect birth weight or does it matter

 

[twistedcreek]

I'm not sure. Will see if calf weight is effected by bull or cow. I don't want to have trouble with calving if I don't have to. Will look up combo sets and see.

 

[twistedcreek]

Tractor supply website has some good information to start with. Since I'm not raising for any large profit. My herd will remain small about 10. I may do a smaller bull and crossbreed more than one kind of cow. See what fits better. Mine will be table beef anyway.

 

[charloisfarmer]

I think it would affect the weight therefore I would put a smll bull on a larger cow ill try to find that website because I really can't find any good websites on breeding and raising I did have an app once that showed what calves u get when u crossed breeds

 

[oreana]

Look into Lowline. They are 100% Angus but about 40% smaller--easy to handle. They marble well on grass alone and have large ,tender ribeyes. Easy calving too!