Hobbies And Interests

How to Raise Beef Calves on Grass & Corn

You can raise a single beef calf or even a small herd on a few acres of land in many parts of the country. Calves do well foraging on grass pastures when their diet is supplemented with a grain like corn. Raising healthy animals to selling or slaughtering size can add to your income or provide you and your family with an affordable source of high-quality protein.

Instructions

    • 1

      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.

    • 2

      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.

    • 3

      Put your beef calves on pasture when they have reached 400 to 450 pounds ̵1; animals smaller than this typically perform poorly.

    • 4

      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.


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