10 Things All Homesteaders Need To Know Before Raising Cows, Bulls, Or Cattle!

Are you thinking about adding cows to your homestead? Our bovine-raising guide will help you avoid rookie mistakes that can turn your cattle-raising dreams into a rodeo of regrets. These tips will help whether you want farm-fresh butter, premium grass-fed beef, or the peaceful sound of cattle grazing outside your window.

Lovely cows grazing in a field on a sunny day.

Sound intriguing?

Then, let’s brainstorm the top ten tips all homesteaders need to know before buying cows!

10 Things All Homesteaders Need To Know Before Buying Cows, Bulls, Or Cattle!

Raising cows is easily one of the most rewarding activities for homesteaders. But it’s not all fun and games! Here are the top 10 tips you need to know.

1. Cows Require Ample Land And Pasture

Cows eating pasture grass on a lovely sunny day.

Picture your dream cattle herd contentedly grazing on lush, green pastures. But before you get lost in that idyllic vision, let’s talk acres and appetites! Generally, you’ll need 1 to 2 acres of quality pasture per cow-calf pair. However, this varies dramatically based on soil quality, rainfall, and cow size.

Allow 1 to 2 acres per cow-calf pair on good pasture. Double that for marginal land or drought-prone areas.
Rotate cattle between paddocks every 1 to 4 days, giving each area 20 to 30 days rest for optimal grass recovery.
The minimum recommended pasture size is 10 acres for a starter herd (4 to 5 cow-calf pairs), accounting for rotational needs.

Don’t let these numbers intimidate you – think of your land as a living savings account where good management pays dividends. The key is rotational grazing. Rotational grazing involves dividing your pasture into smaller paddocks and moving your cattle regularly. Remember, happy soil means happy cows!

2. Raising Cows Takes A Ton Of Time

Mother cow taking care of her newborn calf.

Rise and shine, cattle keeper. Your new four-legged family members run on a relentless, 24/7 schedule! Think of cattle raising as signing up for the world’s most rewarding marathon rather than a sprint. Between daily feeding rounds, seasonal fence fixes, and the all-hands-on-deck intensity of the calving season, your calendar is about to get gloriously bovine-centric.

Daily tasks require 1 to 2 hours minimum. Feeding, watering, and health checks.
Intensive periods (calving, haying) demand 4 to 6 hours daily for 2 to 3 weeks.
Plan for 730 hours annually per 10 head of cattle for essential management.

Raising cows isn’t easy! But here’s the beautiful part. There’s something incredibly grounding about starting each day alongside these magnificent creatures. While you can expect to spend at least 1 to 2 hours daily on basic care, the real-time investment comes in waves – intensive during calving season, haying time, and winter feeding, with more relaxed periods in between.

3. Choosing The Ideal Cattle Breed Is Tricky

Three epic and beautiful shaggy highland cows in a field.

Choosing your cattle breed is like picking a long-term business partner. You need one that aligns with your goals and thrives in your environment. Are you dreaming of creamy farmstead butter? Consider a Jersey cow. Looking for premium grass-fed beef? An Angus or Hereford might be your perfect match.

Popular meat breeds include Beefmaster, Hereford, Brahman, Gelbvieh, Angus, Charolais, Texas Longhorn, Santa Gertrudis, and Limousin.
Popular dairy breeds include Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, and Guernsey.
Dual-purpose breeds include Dexter, Shorthorn, Devon, Red Poll, Simmental, Normande, and Milking Shorthorn.

Don’t just fall for a pretty face! Research temperament, calving ease, and market demand in your area. Remember, the “perfect” breed is the one that suits your specific situation and goals.

4. Cows Need Ample Water And Nutrition

Lovely cows drinking water from a large tub on a sunny day.

Your cattle’s daily menu might seem simple – grass and water – but getting these basics right is an art form! Each cow will drink 15 to 20 gallons of water daily (more in hot weather). So, you’ll need reliable water sources that are accessible in every pasture. Consider installing frost-free waterers for winter and backup systems for emergencies.

Each cow drinks 15 to 20 gallons daily (up to 30 gallons in hot weather).
Lactating cows can easily consume 30 to 40 gallons of water daily.
Cattle consume 1.7 to 3% of their body weight in dry matter daily, depending on forage quality and lactation status. For a 1,000-pound cow, this translates to about 16 to 30 pounds of daily feed.

When it comes to feeding, the grass is just the beginning. You’ll need to become a grass-growing guru! Learn to read your pastures like a book.

Watch for signs of nutritional deficiencies, understand your soil’s mineral profile, and plan for year-round feeding. Winter may require supplemental hay (about 2.5% of body weight daily).

Strategic mineral supplementation helps. Think of yourself as a grass farmer first – your cattle are the harvesters!

5. Cows Need Cozy Shelter And Secure Fencing

An adorable cow peeking outside from inside the barn.

Strong fences help keep cattle in place and offer them peace of mind! High-tensile fencing is usually sufficient for most cattle setups. For shelter, think of protection from extreme weather rather than fancy barns. A simple three-sided run-in shed, strategic windbreaks, and natural shade can do wonders.

Perimeter fencing needs 5 to 6 strands of high-tensile wire. Interior paddocks can use 1 to 2 strands.
Adult cattle generally need 40 to 100 square feet of shelter space, depending on the type of cattle and housing system. Calves require less, typically around 40 square feet.
Gates should be about 12 to 16 feet wide for equipment access.

And here’s advice worth its weight in gold. Spring for heavy-duty gates and set up a proper handling system before you bring your first cow home.

You might thank yourself someday – when it’s time for vaccinations or trailer loading, and you’re dealing with a thousand-pound cow who would rather be elsewhere!

6. Raising Cows Can Contribute To A Healthy Environment

An epic black Scottish highland cow in the Australian mountains.

Let’s talk about regenerative agriculture. It’s where your cattle become partners in building a better ecosystem! These four-legged lawnmowers can help sequester carbon, improve soil health, and increase biodiversity.

The secret lies in mimicking natural grazing patterns – think bison on the prairie.

Allow 30 to 45 days of rest between grazing periods for full pasture recovery.
Maintain grass height appropriate for your pasture type! Aim for no less than 4 inches for cool-season grasses and 12 inches for warm-season grasses.
Proper grazing management helps contribute to carbon sequestration. But, the amount varies widely based on specific practices and conditions.

Moving your cattle frequently and giving pastures adequate rest will build organic matter in your soil, reduce erosion, and create a habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife.

Consider integrating other species, too – chickens following cattle can help with pest control.

7. Cows Create Boatloads Of Manure

Organic garden compost pile on a rural homestead.

Let’s talk about the cattle gift that keeps on giving – manure! While it might not be the most glamorous aspect of cattle raising, proper manure management is your ticket to agricultural gold.

Each cow produces about 80 to 120 pounds of manure daily. Or more! That translates to incredible fertility potential for your land.

Proper planning makes this “waste” product a valuable resource for building soil organic matter and reducing fertilizer costs.

One cow produces 80 to 120 pounds of manure daily (14 to 21 tons annually!).
Cow manure is a superb compost ingredient. Your garden will thank you!
Composted manure should age for 3 to 6 months before garden application.

The key is distribution – rotational grazing helps spread manure naturally, while winter feeding areas might need more active management. Consider composting winter manure accumulation for garden use or selling it to local gardeners. Remember, healthy manure means healthy soil, grass, and cattle!

8. Cattle Need Winter Care & Cold Weather Prep

A cow exploring the snowy backyard with a barn in the background.

Winter with cattle is like a chess game – success depends on thinking several moves ahead! Start your winter prep in late summer by securing adequate hay supplies (plan for at least 180 days of feeding) and preparing windbreaks.

Cold temperatures alone aren’t usually a problem for cattle – they’re amazingly well-insulated – but wet and windy conditions can be challenging.

Stock at least 180 to 200 days’ worth of hay (2.5% of body weight daily per animal).
Windbreaks should be 80% solid with 20% airflow and at least 8 feet high. (Higher windbreaks also offer superior protection – think 10 to 15 feet.)
Increase feed by 20 to 25% during severe cold (below 20°F) for maintenance.

Provide wind protection, well-drained areas for feeding, and constant water access. The secret to stress-free winter cattle care is preparation! Have backup plans for water systems, easy access to feed storage and efficient feeding methods that minimize waste and labor.

9. Cattle Farming Requires Careful Financial Planning

Milk cheese yogurt and butter on a table with cows in the background.

Raising cattle can be profitable. But it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme! Initial setup costs can be significant. Costs include fencing ($2 to $4 per foot), water systems ($500 to $2,000), essential handling equipment ($1,500+), and of course, the cattle themselves ($800 to $3,000 per head).

Annual costs per cow are about $500 to $2,000 or more. (feed, water, vet, minerals).
The cost of individual cows varies widely based on breed, weight, and market conditions.
Don’t forget the surprise costs, like extra food, repairs, and emergency health visits.

With good management, cattle can turn grass into valuable products – beef, dairy, or breeding stock. Consider diversifying your income streams! You can sell breeding stock, offer grass-finished meat, or even agritourism.

10. All Cow Farmers Must Be Good Record Keepers

A lovely cow relaxing on the grass with a wooden chalet in the background.

Record keeping is your cattle-raising GPS. It helps you know where you’ve been and where you’re heading! Start with essential identification records, like ear tags, birth dates, and parentage. Keep track of health events, breeding dates, weights, and feed purchases.

Track 4 essential metrics – weight gain (monthly), breeding dates, health treatments, and feed costs.
Keep records for a minimum of 3 generations for breeding program success.
Update herd inventory and identification records every 60 days.

Use whatever system works for you – a simple notebook, spreadsheet, or specialized software. The important thing is consistency and accessibility. Your records help you learn from successes and challenges while building a more efficient and profitable enterprise.

Conclusion

Raising these magnificent creatures is like joining an ancient dance between humans and hooves that’s been perfecting itself for thousands of years. So saddle up and start your cattle adventure with confidence. Just remember that the most expensive cow is always the one that got away through that gate you forgot to latch!

What about you?

Are you adding cows to your homestead this year?
Will you go for meat or dairy cows? Or dual-purpose?
Which cattle breed do you like most?

Thanks for reading.

Have a great day!

10 Things All Homesteaders Need To Know Before Raising Cows, Bulls, Or Cattle!