5 acres what to graze

vermin99

Have 5 acres of grass around the house,wondering would this be enough to fatten two heifers for killing ,say bought in march killed In august ,was thinking Herefords?Have all the setup as my father had cattle on it before we built the house . shed,crush,electric fencing ,small tractor and the likes.Would this be enough for two heifers or am I better off getting a few sheep,what kind of money would I be talking to fence it for sheep?have 2 acres of a friend's land which I can use if really stuck, is really something to keep me busy during the summer ps also have a donkey on the 5 acres
Thanks

Sharpshooter82

Well I'm farming just a little over 5 acres and I rear 6 calves and 6 weanings every year

jack77

Loads as your not going to winter you wont be looking to make hay or silage, u'll have to get your herd number etc, plus don't forget the costs of your vet bills, doses etc, haven't a clue bout sheep

vermin99

jack77 wrote: »

Loads as your not going to winter you wont be looking to make hay or silage, u'll have to get your herd number etc, plus don't forget the costs of your vet bills, doses etc, haven't a clue bout sheep

Dad tried wintering them one year ended up reseeding the whole field.Have the herd number already and a fairly good size stream ,what kind of doses ? I know the vet has to test for tb before killing, I suppose its best to keep some cash in reserve in case the vet is needed

vermin99

Sharpshooter82 wrote: »

Well I'm farming just a little over 5 acres and I rear 6 calves and 6 weanings every year

Ah so I've plenty then,do you slaughter them ? And do you just let them graze or should I get meal,barley etc? For extra fattening

Sharpshooter82

vermin99 wrote: »

Ah so I've plenty then,do you slaughter them ? And do you just let them graze or should I get meal,barley etc? For extra fattening

It's up to yourself on what weight you want them but it would be no harm to throw them a few nuts everyday. I rear mine to 16 to22 months and sell them off at the marts and do it all over again the following year

vermin99

Sharpshooter82 wrote: »

It's up to yourself on what weight you want them but it would be no harm to throw them a few nuts everyday. I rear mine to 16 to22 months and sell them off at the marts and do it all over again the following year

Would you be better selling in the mart or slaughtering then? The butchers is my dads so I'm sorted as regards costs he said he'd buy them off me if I wanted....so should I get more then 2 then ? Along with the donkey of course ,family pet

Sami23

Sharpshooter82 wrote: »

Well I'm farming just a little over 5 acres and I rear 6 calves and 6 weanings every year

So do you leave the 6 calves out for the winter and if so what do you feed them ?

jimini0

vermin99 wrote: »

Would you be better selling in the mart or slaughtering then? The butchers is my dads so I'm sorted as regards costs he said he'd buy them off me if I wanted....so should I get more then 2 then ? Along with the donkey of course ,family pet

Could you do a deal with your dad to buy them off you for his butchers?
Get 3 weanlings fatten them up and sell them to him.
And if its working out for you get more the next year and do the same.
Can't see you making big profit but it will be a very nice hobby

vermin99

jimini0 wrote: »

Could you do a deal with your dad to buy them off you for his butchers?
Get 3 weanlings fatten them up and sell them to him.
And if its working out for you get more the next year and do the same.
Can't see you making big profit but it will be a very nice hobby

Ye was thinking that alright,if I made between €100-€ 200 I'd be well happy

Sharpshooter82

Sami23 wrote: »

So do you leave the 6 calves out for the winter and if so what do you feed them ?

The calves are in over the first winter and then the end of the second year the heaviest are sold around this time and the remainder are outwintered till january.
Then all large stock are sold and new batch of calves bought in and so the cycle begins again

caseman

vermin99 wrote: »

Have 5 acres of grass around the house,wondering would this be enough to fatten two heifers for killing ,say bought in march killed In august ,was thinking Herefords?Have all the setup as my father had cattle on it before we built the house . shed,crush,electric fencing ,small tractor and the likes.Would this be enough for two heifers or am I better off getting a few sheep,what kind of money would I be talking to fence it for sheep?have 2 acres of a friend's land which I can use if really stuck, is really something to keep me busy during the summer ps also have a donkey on the 5 acres
Thanks

My neighbour was in a yard last week, the lad owns 20 acres and finishes
2000 cattle a year.
I think you'd manage 2 heifers an 5 acres.

Markcheese

caseman wrote: »

My neighbour was in a yard last week, the lad owns 20 acres and finishes
2000 cattle a year.
I think you'd manage 2 heifers an 5 acres.

He might finish 2000 a year on 20 acres,but not from 20 acres ....

moy83

caseman wrote: »

My neighbour was in a yard last week, the lad owns 20 acres and finishes
2000 cattle a year.
I think you'd manage 2 heifers an 5 acres.

Some proof in that land . 100 cattle to the acre .

Sharpshooter82

moy83 wrote: »

Some proof in that land . 100 cattle to the acre .

Shoulder to shoulder

caseman

Markcheese wrote: »

He might finish 2000 a year on 20 acres,but not from 20 acres ....

Id say theirs a fair bit of that 20 acres covered in cocrete

Markcheese

A farmer local to here was finishing top quality weanlings on paddocks covered in wood chips, all fed Tmr ...big spreads about him in farm exam and farmers journal .. Productivity was massive.....
Stopped doing it cos profit was not....