Is raising cattle a good investment?

Question

I have 25 acres and want to raise 5-6 heads of cattle. But I don't know what to buy prue or mixed breed. And what kind of breed? Just want to sell the calves for a saving acct for my daughter (7 years old) for college. help

Answer 1

Big livestock = big expenses.  5-6 animals are not going to make you money.  Most people I know that are raising a few head of beef cattle (usually angus steers where I live) are slaughtering early this year because they can't afford to keep feeding them.  

I also live around some large dairy farms, and again, you need lots of animals to turn a profit, and even then, the profit is marginal.  Feed prices are up, hay is up, and diesel is through the roof still.  Greater overhead leaves a smaller profit margin.

If you are looking for a way to start saving some college money, have you considered poultry?  Meat birds, eggs and layers are in demand and poultry is relatively inexpensive to keep.  You might consider looking into dual purpose chickens, meat quail, meat turkeys (heritage breeds, not those white hybrids with bad tendons!), raising produce and local farmers markets.  It's seasonal and it's not enough to pay the mortgage, but depending on where your interests are, you might be able to start putting some money away.

Other options on 25 acres could include leasing some of it to a local grower (qualifies you for CAUV also, and saves you tax money), contracting for leases for grazing, or check into finishing.  You might also want to consider hogs or meat goats, but again, your overhead will be higher than it would be with poultry.

If you have a pole barn, you could also consider leasing stalls and boarding horses.  Private boarding could be self-care or full-care and can earn you $150-250 monthly per horse.  If I had the facilities and more acreage, I'd be boarding already.

25 acres gives you lots of options, but I think cattle is going to be a losing endeavor.  Hope the other suggestions give you some ideas!

Answer 2

You will go broke.

If you can not raise your own feed-it will cost too much.