It’s no secret
that Americans love their steak, which explains why there’s such a
huge market for beef production in the country. If you recently
bought a ranch with the intention of raising cattle, one of the
biggest decisions you have to make is which breed to choose. While
cattle is generally low maintenance, the proper breed will boost the
profitability of your ranch. Here are a few tips to remember:
Consider Your
Ranch’s Environment
Different breeds
are suited to specific temperatures and terrain, so make sure to
choose one that will thrive in your ranch’s environment. If your
ranch experiences cold winters, breeds like the Beefalo would be
suitable.
Choose a
“Multi-purpose” Breed
Waiting for a cow
to give birth and raising the calf to maturity is time consuming, so
you won’t be seeing a return on investment for some time.
Thankfully, dual-purpose breeds like the Brown Swiss and Shorthorn
can make suitable choices. The cows can be used for milk production,
while the young can be raised for beef production.
Go for Breeds
with Low Calving Difficulty
The easier your
cow gives birth, the less likely you’ll lose the mother, the calf,
or both during birthing. As such, you may want to choose cattle
breeds that are known to have “low calving difficulty” to
minimize risk and maximize carcass yield.
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