Guide to Raising Healthy Beef Cattle

A3858-04 N G A N I M S I A L A I S R — Guide to Raising Healthy Beef Cattle E E N I F Rhonda Gildersleeve R L I C L H I N U R A tatistics from the 2007 Census of I Do you need to generate income from G R Agriculture suggest that an increasing raising beef cattle? number of rural landowners in S I How will you market your animals? Wisconsin are raising beef cattle on their I How long do you plan to raise beef property, and they are doing it for a variety cattle? of reasons—to provide their own food, as a hobby, and for additional income. Raising I What are the local zoning restrictions Livestock Team beef cattle can be an enjoyable means of and requirements? pursuing any of these goals on a small farm. For more information contact: Production system The decision Rhonda Gildersleeve & breed selection Grazing research specialist If you are thinking about raising beef cattle Beef production systems are generally 608-723-6243 on a small scale, be sure to consider the described according to the life stage of the [email protected] key aspects of the operation while planning your enterprise. Here are several beef production cycle that they focus on: Bill Halfman questions to help guide you: I Cow-calf systems focus on production Extension agriculture agent and sale of beef calves from a herd of 608-269-8722 I What are your goals? beef cows. [email protected] I What land area and facilities are I Seed stock systems use artificial Keith Vander Velde required to house, feed, and handle insemination extensively and produce Extension agriculture agent beef cattle? bulls and heifers for use in cow-calf 608-297-3136 I How much time, labor, and money can systems. [email protected] you invest in raising cattle? I Stocker systems typically purchase I Do you have labor available for times weaned/lightweight feeder calves from when you are away? a cow-calf producer and raise them up to the pre-finishing weight phase.

I Finishing systems focus on the feeding phase to produce cattle that are ready for market. Depending on your goals, you may con- centrate your efforts on one production system or on a combination of them. For example, you may decide that you enjoy watching young animals grow and there- fore choose a cow-calf system. Or you may be interested in purchasing yearling cattle that you can pasture and feed out for your own consumption. Each type of beef pro- duction system has some particular hus- bandry needs; this publication provides a general overview of animal production and care. SMALL FARMS:RAISING ANIMALS—ENRICHING RURAL LIFE As with other livestock species, there are Fencing and handling numerous breeds and crossbred options, Feeding and you must decide which breed to facilities Aside from the purchase of animals, feed is produce.Your production situation and Fencing and handling facilities for cattle the largest beef cattle expense (often rep- goals (acreage size, personal use, addi- represent a significant investment, so resenting 70% of the production cost) and tional income opportunities, etc.) will help spend time planning these farmstead and is an essential part of raising healthy beef determine which breeds to consider. Other pasture improvements and seek profes- cattle.There are several categories of feed: factors you might want to consider include sional advice as needed. pasture, stored forages (hay, silage, baleage), concentrates (grain), salt and size, temperament, marketing goals, and Constructing permanent fencing along other minerals, and water. meat production. Prior to starting your property boundaries will keep your beef enterprise, invest some time in animals in. Be sure the fencing is built Beef cattle diets are primarily composed of research and talk to experienced produc- according to the standards described in roughages—pasture and stored forages. ers and breeders to identify which beef Wisconsin’s fencing law statutes Most beef cattle spend all or a portion of production system and breed is right for (Wisconsin Statute 90). Interior fencing can their time on pastures during the grazing you.Your county University of Wisconsin- consist of a temporary electric fence, more season. Pastures are by far the most eco- Extension office can often assist you in permanent subdivisions that allow for nomical method of feeding cattle, so it is finding objective sources of information to pasture rotation and movement of worth the effort to learn the basics of help you make these choices. animals, or a combination of both. If pasture management. During the primary electric fencing is used, cattle should be grazing season, mature beef cows and Facilities trained to it before they are released into a their calves will require only water, salt, and pasture so that they recognize and respect mineral supplements with adequate Housing the fence. Consult your electric fence ener- pasture. Growing animals such as stocker Compared to other livestock, beef cattle gizer manual for suggestions on training or finishing cattle may also require grain generally have minimal housing needs, livestock to electric fences. supplements for extra energy unless the pasture is very high quality. If you are inter- especially during the grazing season if Well-constructed cattle handling facilities ested in pasture finishing systems, be sure pastured. However, each animal must have ensure safety for both humans and to consider breed differences when select- adequate pasture and/or drylot space and animals. Beef cattle will occasionally need ing your animals since some beef cattle protection from wind and precipitation to be sorted, loaded, and/or restrained for breeds will finish more easily than others during inclement weather. Different classes vaccinations, breeding, or other husbandry without grain supplementation. of cattle have different pasture acreage procedures. Simple handling facilities, con- needs as well as different space require- sisting of one or more small holding pens Supplementing pasture diets with small ments for drylots, feeding, and resting with a narrow alley leading to a headgate amounts of grain or high-quality forages areas when the animals are confined (table for restraining cattle, can be integrated allows you to stretch pasture resources 1). Confined animal spaces should be kept into drylot and feeding facilities at the early in the spring and at the end of the clean and dry and, if the animals are farmstead. For pastures, a small corral can grazing season, also providing the oppor- housed during inclement weather condi- be used to catch cattle if needed. Placing tunity for the animals to transition from tions, the spaces must be well ventilated. salt, other minerals, feed, or water in the stored feeds to pasture and vice versa. corral on a regular basis allows cattle to Feed beef cattle stored forages whenever become accustomed to the confined adequate pasture is not available—during space and makes them easier to catch winter months, drought, and muddy condi- when necessary. For small acreages, a tions, when animals may need to be pulled simple lane from the pasture areas to the off pastures to prevent damage to the handling facilities will be sufficient. pasture.

Table 1. Space requirements for beef cattle, per animal

Pasture Drylot pen Bunk feeding Bedded resting (acres) space (ft2) space (in) space (ft2) Cow with calf 1.0–3.0 350–800 24–30 40–50 Weaned calf/stocker 0.5–1.5 300–600 18–22 20–25 Yearling/finishing 1.0–2.0 400–800 22–26 30–35

2 GUIDE TO RAISING HEALTHY BEEF CATTLE

If you have enough land, you can grow Breed associations, local newspapers, and stored forages at home, or you can Sources the Internet are readily available sources of purchase them from farmers and bring contact information for purchasing cattle them to the farmstead. Many livestock of beef cattle through private transaction. Since biosecu- owners purchase their winter’s forage Beef cattle are commonly sold through rity and health of purchased livestock are supply during the growing season, when public livestock auctions or by private trans- very important, private sales have the prices are most reasonable, and store the actions between producers. If you are inex- advantage of allowing you the opportu- forages in a barn, shed, silo, or other perienced with purchasing livestock, find a nity to make personal contact with sellers, storage facility on their own property. knowledgeable friend or a professional question them on their production Others contract with a neighboring farmer buyer who can advise you. Also, taking the methods, and observe their livestock care to harvest and store the feed and deliver it time to research and visit auction markets firsthand. It may cost more to buy beef as needed. In either case, store forages and/or beef producers before purchasing cattle privately from a recognized breeder properly to maintain nutrient quality and from them can provide you with valuable or producer, but you are also buying that prevent spoilage. High-quality forages information that will help you avoid making individual’s good business reputation and have few weeds, a soft and leafy texture, bad purchase decisions. sound production and health protocols. and a good smell. If needed, samples can At livestock auctions, sellers bring their be submitted for testing to determine the animals to a central location so that digestibility and protein, energy, and numerous buyers can bid on them. Animal health mineral content.Your UW-Extension Although auctions may offer a large selec- & biosecurity county office can assist you with resources tion of animals, they may provide only After purchasing healthy animals from a that provide more detailed information limited background information regarding reputable source, your job as a livestock and guidelines for feeding various classes animal husbandry and health unless it is owner is to properly feed, house, and care of beef cattle. provided by the seller or certified by an for your cattle. Here are some strategies to Salt, minerals, and a clean water supply are independent agency as part of the sale. consider: essential to beef cattle health and should Also, cattle that have been living in relative I Develop a relationship with your local be readily available at all times. Cattle may isolation on their home farm come into contact with other livestock at auctions veterinarian to ensure that your drink 10–25 gallons of water or more daily, animals receive proper vaccinations depending on body size and air tempera- and are exposed to stress and pathogens that may compromise their health. and other appropriate health care pro- tures. Purchase mineral supplements with cedures as needed. the primary forage sources in mind and I Keep livestock equipment, feeding adjust them slightly for the season and areas, and housing clean and stage of animal production as needed. comfortable.

I Develop an area to safely keep new additions or sick animals quarantined from the rest of the herd.

I Develop facilities that enable you to provide safe and efficient handling of animals for health procedures.

3 SMALL FARMS:RAISING ANIMALS—ENRICHING RURAL LIFE Regulations Bringing cattle into Sale of meat products If you plan to market meat directly to con- Wisconsin sumers, additional regulations and licenses Keeping livestock In general, cattle entering Wisconsin must may apply to your business. For more There are many state and local regulations have several pieces of documentation: and ordinances that govern livestock pro- information, contact WI DATCP Food Safety I Official identification duction in Wisconsin. Many townships and division at 608-224-4700. counties have zoning regulations that limit I Certificates of veterinary inspection the number and size of livestock that can (health certificates) Additional resources be kept on small acreage parcels, so it is I Proof of meeting brucellosis, tubercu- University of Wisconsin Center for important to know the requirements of losis, and vesicular stomatitis entry Integrated Agricultural Systems your local jurisdiction before keeping requirements and/or import permits (if www.cias.wisc.edu livestock. coming from states with current University of Wisconsin-Extension Animal Wisconsin statutes also require that all animal movement restrictions due to Sciences—beef page premises with livestock register with the disease quarantines in that state) www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/ state Department of Agriculture,Trade, & Contact the Animal Health division at WI beef/index.cfm Consumer Protection (WI DATCP). Premises DATCP at 608-224-4872 for more informa- University of Wisconsin-Extension registration does not require individual tion on cattle health requirements and the Publications—Animals and Small animal identification, and the information necessary permits for animal movements Farms sections you provide is used only for locating or into the state. learningstore.uwex.edu/ tracking susceptible animals in the case of Farming-C3.aspx an animal disease outbreak.You can register your premises online at the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association and Wisconsin Livestock Wisconsin Beef Improvement Identification Consortium Association (WLIC) website: www.wiid.org. www.wisconsinbeef.com Printed registration information is available at your county UW-Extension office.

Copyright ©2009 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System doing business as the division of Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension. All rights reserved. Send copyright inquiries to: Cooperative Extension Publishing, 432 N. Lake St., Rm. 227, Madison,WI 53706, [email protected]. Author: Rhonda Gildersleeve is a grazing research specialist at Lancaster Agricultural Research Station with University of Wisconsin- Extension, Cooperative Extension. Cooperative Extension publications are subject to peer review. All beef cattle photos by Bill Halfman. University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties, publishes this information to further the purpose of the May 8 and June 30, 1914, Acts of Congress. An EEO/AA employer, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA requirements. If you need this information in an alternative format, contact Equal Opportunity and Diversity Programs, University of Wisconsin-Extension, 432 N. Lake St., Rm. 501, Madison,WI 53706, [email protected], phone: (608) 262-0277, fax: (608) 262-8404,TTY: 711 Wisconsin Relay. This publication is available from your county UW-Extension office (www.uwex.edu/ces/cty) or from Cooperative Extension Publishing. To order, call toll-free: 1-877-947-7827 (WIS-PUBS) or visit our website: learningstore.uwex.edu. Guide to Raising Healthy Beef Cattle (A3858-04) I-08-2009