Popular Cattle Breeds for New Beef Ranches

More often than not, people looking for ranches for sale in Colorado are thinking of starting a beef ranch. With the way that the national beef industry has been performing as of late, there is no wonder why.

It goes without saying that superior cattle breeds will yield superior beef. As such, only select breeds are typically raised in a beef ranch. Here are a few of the more popular ones in the United States:

Wagyu

Although known as a Japanese cattle breed, the truth is that the majority of the Wagyu beef used in Japan is imported from the United States and Australia. Wagyu beef is popular because of its great marbling and its rich and buttery taste.

Angus

Angus, by far, is the most popular in the United States because of the cattle's amazing ability to convert food into meat. This ability has led Angus to be regarded as the best among all cattle breeds. Also known for its superior marbling and tenderness, Angus beef is one of the most sought-after meats in the world.

Charolais

Charloais cattle are known throughout the beef industry for yielding the highest percentage of sellable cuts of beef. Charolais are also popular for cross-breeding due to their great growth rate and grazing to body weight ratio.

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Plants That Can Ruin a Newly Bought Cattle Ranch

If you are looking at ranches for sale (or if you have already bought one), there is a good chance that you are considering establishing a cattle raising operation. In fact, you might have already decided which breed of cattle you will use and where to sell the beef. However, have you made sure that your ranch land is safe for your cattle?

There many plants that are poisonous to cattle that can be growing on your land. These plants present a danger to your cattle, especially if you plan on letting them graze naturally. Here are two common plants that should be removed from grazing areas:

Wild Cherries

People typically do not have to worry about cherries. However, cattle ranchers should remove any wild cherry fruits and plants because their leaves and seeds are poisonous to cattle.

Buttercups

You may use buttercups as ornamental flowers, but you must keep them away from your cattle. All parts of the buttercup plant are poisonous to cattle, as well as to goats and horses.

Be sure to study which plants commonly grow in the state your ranch is located to help you determine which of these you should look out for when letting your cattle graze. Additionally, designate one of your ranch hands to regularly survey the grazing land in case more of these poisonous plants appear. 

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What You Can Do with Ranch Land for Sale

It is no secret that purchasing real estate is a great way to diversify your investment portfolio. However, many people do not realize that investing in ranch land in Utah goes beyond tucking the land away and selling it later once the property has appreciated.

Purchasing ranch land for the sake of establishing a ranch seems like an obvious thing to do, but not many investors buy ranch land for that purpose. After all, they had already spent a good amount of money on the property and establishing a ranching operation requires a large amount of capital. What many investors do not realize, though, is that ranching can become a highly lucrative business.

One ranching operation option is to start a beef ranch, where you can raise cattle for their meat. Considering many European countries have reopened beef trade relations with the US, starting a beef ranch may be a very profitable choice.

Another option that takes advantage of current market conditions is to start a cattle breeding ranch. With more cattle set to be sold for beef, many beef ranches will have to turn to cattle breeding operations to replenish their supply.

A ranching operation is a profitable business, regardless of the type of ranch you choose to establish. If you have yet to purchase a Utah ranch for sale, be sure to choose land that best suits the needs of your preferred ranching operation.

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Ranch Buying: Components of a Good Business Plan

Any successful ranch owner will tell you that a sound business plan is one of the most important considerations in finding the perfect ranch to buy. Purchasing a ranch requires a huge investment, so having a well-developed business plan that clearly identifies your goals is a must. This, then begs the question: What consists a good business plan for ranch purchasers?

A good business plan must contain, among other things, the mission and vision for the business venture, production capabilities, production goals, estimated operational expenses, necessary ranch amenities, and projected income and profits. The plan must also include a list of necessary equipment, structures, facilities, and personnel. Once a plan has been finalized, it must then be compared with evaluations of ranches for sale to determine which acreage can meet expectations.

If expectations are not met, the results of the comparison can be used to identify the properties that come close. The buyer may then proceed to estimate the cost of the renovations and improvements needed to achieve production goals, which in turn will help him establish the true value of each available property.

A buyer should never finalize a ranch property purchase until he has completed a thorough evaluation of its production potential. A good business plan enables him to do so.

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What Makes a Good Ranch Real Estate Company?

When it comes to purchasing a ranch, it is essential that you work with a good real estate company that knows and understands the huge investment you’re taking on. A good company will take all the steps necessary to ensure that you get the best ranch property for your needs and not theirs. Such companies make it their priority to help clients like you make the most informed decisions concerning your purchase.

Every ranch property is different, as are the potential buyers that look at them. Reputable companies know that every client has different requirements when it comes to the attributes and amenities that come with their ranch so a good ranch company will be one that’s willing to sit with you and discuss your plans exhaustively. It will, then, search its database of properties to find one that’s a perfect fit for your needs.

Some of the issues that a good ranch company will discuss with you will include accessibility, privacy, questions about agricultural operations, and the possibility of installing outdoor and sporting facilities, among other things. It doesn’t matter if you have no idea yet how to address such issues; good real estate firms will have the skills to answer these questions, or help you find answers to a potential concern, to help you determine what your true needs are.

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Three Tips to Lighten Calving Days during Winter

Gearing up for a ranch purchase this winter? You might be interested in knowing a few tips to help you ensure successful calving during the cold season. Every good cowboy knows that calves need colostrum immediately within their first few hours of life, but beyond that, the tricks of the trade to make a calving season run more smoothly can vary greatly. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Provide shelter

Colder environment can compound a young cow’s efforts to feed. Thus, during inclement weather, windbreaks and bedding for the newborn animals are essential. Providing a barrier between the freezing cold and the body of a wet newborn calf can help ensure its survival.

Monitor condition

Long-time cattle operators emphasize the importance of monitoring the condition of the females before calving. This needs to be done not only to ensure adequate colostrum production, but also its ability to breed in the future. Body condition scores of 5 ½ and above will pay dividends when it comes to these two critical factors of cattle raising.

Keep calf pens clean

Sanitary calving areas are essential for getting the newborn animals off to a good start. Experts recommend dipping iodine on their navels to prevent infection. You may also want to give them a shot of vitamin B complex to boost their immune system.

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