Managing a Small Cattle Herd

The Nugget

Managing a small cattle herd involves strategic breeding methods, including the decision between keeping bulls versus using artificial insemination.

Make it stick

🐮 Bulls vs. AI: Bulls are kept for breeding for genetic diversity, whereas AI is less expensive and allows for easier management.
🚜 Breeding Logistics: Keeping bulls requires careful planning to avoid inbreeding and optimize genetic diversity.
🌾 Grazing Needs: Dexters, a smaller breed of cattle, require about half an acre of grazing land, making them more suitable for smaller farms.
📅 Seasonal Breeding: Dividing the herd for breeding purposes can help prevent inbreeding and ensure controlled mating seasons.

Definitions of different cattle categories: bulls, heifers, cows, steers, and yearlings.
Importance of managing breeding to prevent inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity in the herd.
Strategies for managing bulls and breeding logistics on a small farm to optimize herd growth and health.

The grazing and hay requirements for dexters, with insights on managing pasture rotation for optimal herd health and nutrition.
The need for controlled grazing and hay feeding to sustain the herd through different seasons.
Strategies for managing bull-cow interactions to control breeding and prevent inbreeding on limited acreage.

Factors influencing the choice between using AI and keeping bulls for breeding.
Cost comparisons and logistics of AI versus maintaining bulls for breeding purposes.
The importance of strategic breeding methods to expand the herd without compromising genetic diversity.

"Bulls are harder to handle and breeding just gets a lot more complicated."
"You need about an acre for a regular sized cow, say you're growing full-sized Angus, Hereford, whatever. Dexters take about half that, they're smaller."
"A male is a bull and a female is a heifer. And when that heifer is castrated, it becomes a steer, becomes an it."
"The reason we've divided the bulls out is we don't want those cows that have just had calves to get re-bred right away. Otherwise, they would start having calves in the middle of the winter."
"Artificial insemination winds up a lot cheaper than keeping a bull, and it just winds up being easier on you."

This summary contains AI-generated information and may have important inaccuracies or omissions.