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How To Raise Cattle Farming As A Beginner

Cattle are regarded as gold in rural areas because when you have a herd of cattle, you are seen as a wealthy family.

This livestock is known for good produce, but this will be determined by what you feed your animals and their produce is meat, milk and hides (skin) and these can benefit the family either for profits or family feeding and clothing.

Being a cattle farmer can be intimidating especially when you have small land and pasture; however, it is something doable. 

A beginner can start with two to five cows (one bull and four cows) and be sure to know the history of the cattle you are purchasing.

You do not want to find yourself raising heifers and castrated bulls because of lack of knowledge. So, beginner farmers are advised to get information on raising livestock through other farmers or trainings at the Veterinary offices near you.

Cattle housing

Cattle may be sheltered in various ways depending on the number of animals kept, available material for constructing cattle housing and location of housing.

In rural areas building kraals is easy because you can use wood or using prefabricated wire for fencing when a farmer sourced the wire.

We all want our livestock to be protected from thieves and predators, so the location of your kraal should be erected where it can be easily monitored.

The kraal should be placed an angle that can be viewed even inside the house through a window, though it should be at least ten – fifteen meters away from the house because the dung smell is not odour friendly.

Nutrition and supplementation

Cattle require to be herded well because if unattended to, you may cause enmity with neighbours because they are pasture livestock.  

They tend to eat just about any greens they come across and should they enter a field, they destroy crops; so farmers are encouraged to make sure they have a vigilant herdsman to ensure that this does not happen.

Your cattle eat greens for their source of energy, besides green, you can give some of the following to your cattle;

Grains such as crushed maize, sorghum,  and other grains

Molasses meal

Hay or straw

Third grade coarse salt

Silage

Protein blocks or lick

Some of the feeds given when there is drought. Beginner farmers should prepare themselves to have the drought feed especially in winter because grass is very scarce in pastures. 

Overfeeding cattle with grains and other supplementary feed can cause grain poisoning to cattle, so allow your animals to pasture as they are ruminants. How To Raise Cattle.

Clean water is a necessity for your animals because cattle have a tendency of drinking anything liquid they come across which can be detrimental to the health of your livestock.

Rather train your livestock to hydrate only at home and provide waterers for your cattle, and if this is not possible, scan the area for clean water like nearby dams or rivers.

Calf rearing and programme feed

Calves go through four phases or stages of feeding and these are;

• Colostrum phase for a period of 3 – 4 days of age.
•  Pre-ruminant phase from 3 days to 20 – 30 days of age.
• Transition stage where calves are given liquids & dry feeds.
• Post-weaning stage is when calves are given dry feeds.

Let us look at the programme feed which will be a guideline for beginner farmers;

• The calf must ingest colostrum within 4 hours of birth. At least 2 litres (preferably 4 litres) colostrum must be provided at this time. At this young age it is best to feed fluids to the calf using a bottle and teat.

• During the initial feeding period, from day 3 to day 21, milk is the staple diet which is the calf’s body mass rate of 8% -10%.
• However, a milk substitute or colostrum can be used instead of milk. Feed calf two rations of feed in the morning and at dawn, and make sure the milk has body temperature of 37ºC. The feed time should be the same, also maintain milk temperature too. 

• Give calf a starter meal which is about 17 to 18% crude protein and urea free from the first day to stimulate the calf to lick the meal and if it ingests some, stimulates intake.
• Place small amount of meal in calf’s mouth every day at feeding time and measure the amount of meal given.
• The intake of concentrates usually increases rapidly after the calf is 7 days old, to change feed complete calf meal can be used.
• The calf starter meal should be fed for the first 6 to 8 weeks of age, after which a complete calf meal (urea free) is fed.  Feed growth enhancer to calves which can be meals containing monensin or taurotec.

• Fresh water must be continuously available to the calf, although calves usually only ingest significant amounts of water after 10 days of age. To ensure that water is always fresh, it is best to replace with fresh water twice daily.

• Once the calf is eating more than 750 grams of calf meal per day, milk can be removed from the diet (calf weaning).
• Weaning is associated with mass loss, which can be minimized by reducing the milk ration over a period of 7 to 10 days, ending with a period of feeding half the milk ration once a day only, preferably in the evening.
• Calves are usually ready to wean when they are 30 to 40 days old.
• A calf not ingesting more than the required 750 grams meal daily by the time it is 40 days old, wean it, but monitor its progress.
• Once weaned calves can be grouped and grazed in paddocks with good quality grass.

• Damp or wet concentrates must not be fed to livestock because it becomes sour and moisture encourages fungal growth, both of which will have adverse effects on feed intake and on animal health. Be sure that cal complete meal is dry.

• Calves need roughage and good quality hay must be available to the calf at all times.

• If the calf is to be slaughtered, a standard feedlotting regime can be initiated when it is 7 to 8 months old. Depending on maturity type, calves fed in this manner are usually ready for slaughter at 12 to 15 months.

• Vaccination programmes must not start earlier than three months of age because antibodies ingested with colostrum can interfere with the development of immunity during this period.

• Calves that remain in pens at all times, chances of tick borne disease should pose a threat, but unfortunately, where there is no tick challenge, natural immunity does not develop.
• When a calf is exposed to ticks, it can contract a tick borne disease and can suffer abscess formation from tick bites, so extra care is warranted. Take calves to the dip to have ticks removed, do not remove by yourself.
• Reducing stress and ensuring good hygiene will increase the chances of a calf growing at a high rate of gain and will reduce the danger of disease.

To have healthy animals, seek more information from vet offices or from a cattle farmer near you or through research. This will broaden your knowledge as a farmer. So let’s enjoy ‘’moooooo’’ farming.

Here are ten frequently asked questions (FAQs) on how to start cattle farming as a beginner, with clear and practical answers.

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10 Frequently Asked Questions on How To Raise Cattle Farming As A Beginner

1. What’s the very first step I should take before buying any cattle?

Answer: The absolute first step is thorough research and creating a business plan. Do not buy animals on a whim. Your plan should include:

• Your Goal: Are you raising beef for your family, selling freezer beef to locals, or building a large commercial operation? Are you interested in dairy?
• Budget: Calculate all startup costs (land, fencing, water systems, shelter, animal purchase, feed, veterinary care) and ongoing expenses.
• Market Research: Who will you sell to? Local auction, private sales, direct-to-consumer?
• Land & Resources: Do you have adequate pasture, reliable water sources, and strong fencing? Starting small (e.g., 5-10 acres for a few animals) is highly recommended.

2. What breed of cattle is best for a beginner?

Answer: For beef production, beginner-friendly breeds are known for being docile (calm temperament), easy to care for, and good mothers. Excellent choices include:

• Angus: The most common beef breed; known for high-quality meat and often preferred by markets.
• Hereford: Very docile, hardy, and adaptable to various climates.
• Polled Breeds (e.g., Red Angus, Polled Hereford): “Polled” means naturally without horns, which is safer for you and the animals.
• Crossbreeds: Often a great choice as they benefit from “hybrid vigor,” which can mean better health and growth rates.

3. How much land do I need to raise cattle?

Answer: A common rule of thumb is 1 to 2 acres of pasture per cow-calf pair. However, this varies dramatically based on:

• Climate and Rainfall: Lush, rainy areas can support more animals per acre than arid regions.
• Soil Quality and Forage: The quality and type of grass in your pasture.
• Management Style: Will you be rotating pastures to allow grass to recover?
  Always check with your local county extension office for specific recommendations for your area.

4. What are the essential facilities and equipment I need?

Answer: You don’t need a huge barn, but basic facilities are non-negotiable for safety and animal welfare.

• Strong Fencing: This is your #1 priority. Woven wire or high-tensile electric fencing are popular options to keep cattle in and predators out.
• Reliable Water Source: Cattle drink 10-20 gallons of water per day each. A clean pond, creek, or automatic water troughs are essential.
• Shelter: Cattle are hardy but need protection from extreme wind, rain, and sun. A simple three-sided shed or a line of trees (windbreak) often suffices.
• Handling Equipment: A basic squeeze chute and head gate for safely restraining animals during health checks, vaccinations, and tagging is crucial as you grow.

5. What do cattle eat, and how much does it cost?

Answer: Their primary diet should be high-quality forage:

• Pasture Grass/Hay: This is the cheapest and most natural feed. During spring/summer/fall, good pasture should meet most of their needs. In winter, you will feed hay (dried grass).
• Grain/Supplement: Often provided to finishing beef cattle for weight gain or to lactating cows for energy. It’s more expensive than hay.
• Mineral Supplement: A free-choice mineral block or loose mineral formulated for cattle is vital for their health and digestion.
  Costs vary by region and season, but feed will be your largest ongoing expense.

6. How do I keep my cattle healthy?

Answer: Prevention is key.

• Vaccinations: Work with a large-animal veterinarian to set up a vaccination program for common diseases like Blackleg, IBR, BVD, and others.
• Parasite Control: Regularly deworm your herd.
• Hoof Care: Check hooves for lameness or overgrowth; you may need a trimmer.
• Observation: Spend time with your animals daily. Knowing their normal behavior helps you instantly spot signs of illness (isolating themselves, droopy ears, not eating, runny nose).

7. How much hands-on work is involved daily?

Answer: For a small herd, daily chores are relatively minimal but mandatory. You must:

• Check Cattle: Do a headcount and visually assess each animal’s health.
• Check Water: Ensure water sources are clean and not frozen.
• Feed: Provide hay or supplement if not on adequate pasture.
  This might take 1-2 hours per day. Larger tasks like moving hay bales, fixing fence, or working the animals (vaccinating, etc.) are more labor-intensive and often require a full day.

8. What are the biggest challenges or risks for a beginner?

Answer:

• Financial Risk: Cattle are a significant investment with thin profit margins. Unexpected vet bills or a drop in market prices can hurt.
• Steep Learning Curve: Mistakes in nutrition, breeding, or health can be costly.
• Labor: It’s hard, physical work, especially in bad weather.
• Predators & Escapes: Weak fencing leads to lost or injured animals and unhappy neighbors.
• Emotional Attachment: It can be hard to send animals to market if you view them as pets.

9. How long does it take to make a profit?

Answer: This is a long-term investment. Do not expect a profit in the first year, or even the second. You are building your herd’s genetics and infrastructure. Most beginners reinvest any income back into the farm for several years. Profitability depends on your management, scale, and market prices.

10. Where can I find help and reliable information?

Answer: You are not alone! Tap into these invaluable resources:

• Local County Extension Office: (Associated with universities) They offer workshops, soil testing, and expert advice specific to your region.
• Veterinarian: Find one who specializes in livestock.
• Other Farmers: Neighbors and local farming associations are often willing to share wisdom.
• Online Resources: University agriculture websites (e.g., Purdue, Texas A&M) provide science-based articles and guides. Online ranching forums can be useful but always verify advice.