Instructions
Feed beef calves on a grass pasture that is best suited to your area. An alfalfa-brome-timothy mixture works best in the Midwest, according to Charles A. Sanders, author of ̶0;The Self-Reliant Homestead.̶1; Sanders recommends a mixture of ladino and grass in the north-central states, and lespedeza in the southern states. Contact your county extension agent for advice on the best type of pasture for your area.
Match the number of calves you want to raise to the pasture̵7;s carrying capacity. While a single head of cattle raised in an arid state requires up to 20 acres of pasture, that same animal raised in the Midwest might easily manage with only 1 acre of quality pasture. Work with your county extension agent to determine the proper ratio of calves to pasture.
Put your beef calves on pasture when they have reached 400 to 450 pounds ̵1; animals smaller than this typically perform poorly.
Increase your calves̵7; weight gain by supplementing their foraging diet with corn, providing 2 to 4 pounds per day, per calf, in a feed trough. Start with the lower number and gradually increase the amount over a 10- to 14-day period.