Prepping for Cows

It’s strangely gratifying to have cows on the property. We see them outside through the windows, munching on grass or lying down and chewing their cud. They’re peaceful. When we walk to visit to the cows, they’re always waiting for us. Clearly they’re accustomed to getting grain when we visit them, but it is still warming to see them waiting to greet us. Cows are cool.

We believe that if we manage them correctly, they will be beneficial for our land and for the planet (that ought to raise some eyebrows from the enviro-crowd). They will provide meat that was raised cleanly and compassionately to us and our community. They also provide their own adventure, that of owning cows.

Still, as freaking rad as they are, cows aren’t meant for everyone. For the few who are considering adding cows to their lives and for the merely curious, we offer these considerations gleaned from our experience on preparing for cows:

1.       Make sure that you really want cows. This isn’t something that you do because baby cows are cute or because you have a few extra acres land or because you think it’ll be a good way to teach responsibility to the kiddos.  It’s work! Well, hopefully not a ton of work, but it’s definitely a responsibility. We recommend against livestock impulse buys.

2.       Have a plan and purpose for the cows. For example, during our first year in Wellsville we want four steers to grass feed for the season. They will deposit their turds on the ground and turn our soil. As a result, we increase our soil quality. We call them by name, pet them, run with them, feed them treats, and thank them for their work. Come fall, they succumb unwittingly and unwillingly to the cycle of life. After that moment, we will be unencumbered with cows until we decide again to get them. That’s our plan and purpose. 

3.       Make sure you can feed the cows. If you don’t have the grass to feed them, then you’ll have to buy it and store it. We researched the food requirements for 750 pound steers compared to the expected production of grass on our property. According to this math, we could have many more steers than we do, but we erred on the side of caution by picking a manageable number of cows. We didn't want to get cows to have them loose weight! Beyond the grass, they are provided with a mineral lick. For us, feeding them is easy while the grass is growing.

4.       They are going to need a fence, so have somewhere secure you can keep them. We lucked out on this program, since the previous owner left some easy-up fence panels that built a nice corral. In the corral we trained the cows on the electric fence, and now they are outside in the pasture minding two small, electrified strands. Our perimeter fence, less than perfect, may not be helpful to keeping the cows on the property. We probably ought to fix that.

5.       Have a program for checking in on the cows. If you’re feeding them hay, then you will see them often. If you are cell grazing like we are, you will need to see them at least few times a week. We will likely check in on them daily, even if it is just looking to see that their water is full.

6.       You’ve got to be able to pick them up. This is meant two ways. First, after you buy them, they will have to make it to your property. If you’re lucky, like we were for three of the cows, the seller will be willing to drop them off. If not, you’ll need a truck and trailer or will have to pay someone to transport them for you. Second, unless they’re there until they died, you’ll have to take them or their carcasses off of the property. You get the idea. Farminater found a horse trailer last year in the classifieds for $900, solving the problem for us.

7.       Consider the breed you would like and the cow’s history. We were looking for meat steers, so we bought cows that will ultimately taste good. If we were looking for milkers, we would have chosen a different breed. It was also important to us that the cows were drug-free (hormone free!).

8.       Lastly, if you are going to have cows, you can never know too much about them. Be curious. There’s lots of good stuff on the internet and in literature to increase your knowledge of our bovine buddies. Be observant. Watch your cow. Find out what you should learn about next. Cows are an adventure. Knowledge helps you enjoy it.

Well, that’s our two cents. If you’re up for it, get cows. If you’re not, you can always be a part of our cow adventure at Sustaining Adventures on Facebook!

Steers at home in their grazing cell paddock