| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 09:33:23 AM
Joy of joys! We have three new little Holstein steers. They've been weaned, but just barely, and they are absolutely darling. We're raising them for meat, but they are so endearing - it's going to be a test of my farmgirl strength.
This is my first time raising steers - do any of you have tips, hints or helps that you'd care to pass along?
Right now they're getting alfalfa hay and a bit of rolled corn and barley... What do you experienced farmgirls have to say?
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - May 07 2007 : 04:28:17 AM
Oooopps!! I realized after I mentioned the whole castration thing that "steers" says it all. Please don't tell my husband!! He thinks that I know all about that stuff (ha! Ha!).....I grew up in downtown Toronto,Canada and took the streetcar to school. Soooo needless to say, I knwe nothing about being a farmer. The biggest animal that I ever saw was a dog. So, one day while in the milk parlor watching the cows being milked, I asked him "how do you tell the girl cows from the boy cows?" He pointed to my chest and smiled...Well, I guess I knew the answer after that!!! And 5 years later, we still get a kick out of that. This big city girl has come a long way...so again Ooopppsss!! LOL!!
"learn to watch snails" SARK |
| Libbie |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 6:56:49 PM
Thanks! Don't worry y'all! The "deed" has been done! They are "officially" steers!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| Alee |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 5:41:57 PM
Wow Libbie! Will is so great! And I would get the little guy's castrated as soon as you can- little ones are easy to wrestle and intact males don't always make the best meat. Just my two cents worth :)
Alee |
| Phils Ann |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 12:26:21 PM
Libbie, the picture of your "guy" is precious. "The insane amount of darlingness" says it all. William's response is so healthy! See what a good Mom you are?
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
| Sarah Blue |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 10:18:30 AM
hmmm, you said you got steers and I thought they were already castrated 'cuz steers are castrated bulls. please keep us posted on this adventure! we'd like to see how the little guys grow up and learn if they are tasty in the end. holstein cattle are not often raised for beef here, but yours sound like they will be spoiled and fat and delicious :)
"i believe in god, only i spell it nature." - frank lloyd wright
http://www.myspace.com/svgrrrl |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 09:29:53 AM
Wow...what a great farmkid your Will is! He gets it!!!
I feel the same way about uncastrated male animals. I have to buy a ram lamb this year..and I am thinking I will find a nice wool one and use him two seasons and then either sell him or castrate him. (maybe only one season) I hate what the rams do to fences. I hate to imagine trying to keep a bull in a fence!!! And I will NEVER keep a buck goat again..been there done that. HE was sweet but sure stunk up the whole north side of town.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Libbie |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 09:02:37 AM
Yep - I've decided that intact males (ummm...animals, that is!) have no place on my farm! My William (almost 4) was asking yesterday about the "plan" for the steers, and I asked him what he thought the plan should be (not wanting to dive right into the "meat" issue), and so he says, "Lets feed them and love them and then have them butchered and turned into meat - just like the lambs - because I like them when they are pets AND when they are dinner." Okay - so maybe there wasn't anything really for me to worry about explaining...
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - May 05 2007 : 08:14:34 AM
Hey Libbie...hmmmm, how does a girl ask this tactfully.....do you plan on castrating them? Bulls can be very scary!! We just had a holstein calf born the other day. They are all cute and we do name them...little man, little boy, bean pole (their leggs are soooo long!!) good luck!!
"learn to watch snails" SARK |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 10:21:32 PM
Aw....cute as can be!!!!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Libbie |
Posted - Apr 30 2007 : 10:10:20 PM
Thank you all so much for the advice - I knew I could count on farmgirls! They are so cute - no names, however, just a collective "the steers" so far.
They all look very much the same, but here's a photo of one of them so you can see the insane amount of darlingness I'm working with here:
I know I'm just going to have to buck up and be a farm mom when it's time to have them butchered, but they are so darn cute right now. Maybe I'll find them less cute as they get older and a bit more bossy. Right now I'm doing my best to get them familiar with me being in with them and touching them, and all that - They have all sorts of pasture, and I think they'll really love it when I let them out - right now it's not greened up enough for grazing, so they're getting hay and grain, but in a couple of weeks, we should have some great grasses ready for them - a whole 15 acres for them to enjoy - I can't wait for them to see it!
XOXO, Libbie
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar..." - Helen Hayes |
| MariaAZ |
Posted - Apr 29 2007 : 10:10:36 PM
I'm so jealous!! I'd LOVE to raise our own steer! That's one of the "big" things I just haven't figured out how to do in the suburbs yet.
Visit my blog at www.craftyfool.net |
| EmmJay |
Posted - Apr 29 2007 : 7:20:25 PM
We named ours as well, but the way that I got through when time came for...(that), I envisioned them with total frostbite....
I know, you may laugh, but I would think of the money it saved (not to mention the health benefits) and I could see them in my freezer.
You may think strange, but it worked for me.
MJ
"Thank GOD I'm a country girl"
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o134/EmmJay07/ |
| ThymeForEweFarm |
Posted - Apr 29 2007 : 12:31:22 PM
If they aren't used to pasture they should be introduced gradually. The best thing for cattle is to be grass fed because it's the way they are designed to eat. You can't beat naturally raised food.
We keep our calves in the barn for a week if they weren't born here. It helps them get used to their new surroundings and start feeling as though the barn is their new home. We made the mistake of letting one out the next day because he seemed so content. What a nightmare. He decided he'd had enough of us and he was going to find his mother. He ended up a half mile through the woods on US Rt 1 nearly getting himself killed and causing accidents. It took a number of people and then finally a very good, very well trained but very pregnant farmcollie to catch him.
We name our beef and pork. We'd call them something anyway. It's easier to say T-Bone or Sausage than calling them the steer with the white patch on his head or the pig with the funny ear. We're kind to them, raise them the best way we possibly can with fresh pasture and/or browse, water and sunshine, and we don't forget what they are - food. It wasn't that cut and dried in the beginning and I do still get a twinge when it's time for something's life to end. After loading the first calf born here I sat on the back porch and cried while my husband drove off to the butcher. Every time I get that twinge I remind myself of the animal that isn't being factory raised, standing in manure in a feedlot some where, living miserably so that I can have meat, because I've made a responsible choice. And still, all that said, we'll have the box of tissues ready for you when the time comes!
Robin
www.outdoorwriter.wordpress.com
www.thymeforewe.com
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| Sarah Blue |
Posted - Apr 29 2007 : 12:01:48 PM
Or name them Chuck, T-Bone and New York :0
"i believe in god, only i spell it nature." - frank lloyd wright
http://www.myspace.com/svgrrrl |
| highlandgirl |
Posted - Apr 29 2007 : 11:03:20 AM
Libbie,
Getting them used to you is good advice, but everyone's right, don't name them. Also a good way to not get attached is to remember how big they will get. They don't stay small and cute very long. This size is another reason to get them used to being around people. When you have to move them or get them to go where you want, it is less likely to be a wreck or a rodeo if they are used to seeing people and having them around.
Feeding them alfalfa and grain is good if you have limited pasture but the best thing is to get them on grass. Caution with the alfalfa. Feed in limited amounts because if it is good quality alfalfa and they can eat free choice, they can "bloat" because they think the stuff is candy.
Good luck and enjoy them. Cattle can be so relaxing.
Cheryl |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 6:15:46 PM
How exciting..I really MUST get down to see you and your critters!! My brother in law named their steers all the same name Cow-boy. It will be hard to not get attached. I still go visit Mona's little steer son from last year (Norman) and I know he dons't have a whole lot longer in this world. gulp. He is nearly as big as Mona now...but not as bulky yet..well, especially right now. Isn't it fun to have new critters on the place?
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 1:26:17 PM
Libbie-
Are they completely weaned? I agree- Don't give them names! It always is harder to eat a meal that has a name! Do they have pasture or are they penned up?
Alee |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 10:31:32 AM
Try very hard not to get attached. The other thing we like to do is get them used to being around people. We walk among our cows quite often so we don't spook them. I love cows. It will be the best meat you have ever tasted. Good luck with them.
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| Sarah Blue |
Posted - Apr 28 2007 : 10:18:23 AM
Hmmm, my advice is DON'T GIVE THEM NAMES if you are planning on eating them!
"i believe in god, only i spell it nature." - frank lloyd wright
http://www.myspace.com/svgrrrl |
