Factors That Affect The Cost To Raise A Cow - What You Need To Know

Raising cattle for meat and profiting from it
requires commitment because of the huge sum of
money that is involved in managing and keeping a
cattle farm. You have to spend a lot of time
tending to the cows. Even if you have enough
workers to help manage your farm, you have to be
hands on in some tasks. You have to oversee the
workers and see to it that your farm management
plan is carried out effectively. There are
several factors that you have to consider in
computing the cost to raise a cow. It does not
only involve the price that you will pay for
buying cattle but also the costs for their
maintenance, breeding, equipment, etc.

One determinant of the cost to raise a cow is
the acquisition cost of cattle per head. The
cost will depend upon the breed of the cow.
Likewise those cattle which are registered are
definitely more costly than the average beef
cow. The cow's price will also vary on its age
wherein calves are cheaper because you still
have to invest on the food that it will consume
and consider the time to raise them. Health and
weight are also considered. Most often cattle
ranchers prefer buying young cattle and breed
them on their own. The costs of calves are
cheaper but the rancher will bear the risks
entailed in raising and breeding them. This
includes food and labor expenses.

However, the cost to raise a cow does not end
there. You have to consider the cost for rearing
and caring your cattle. This means that you have
to compute the amount you will be spending on
pasture that the cattle graze on. The grazing
land depends on the area since there are those
regions where there is drought or the land is
very wet due to the prolonged rainy season. When
these climate or weather changes happen the grass
will not grow properly and the cattle cannot
graze outdoors. You have to buy hay and other
food supplements which mean that it will add up
to the cost to raise a cow. A good feeding
program and buying high quality of food with a
low price should be made to lower costs.
Irrigation costs for your grazing land should
also be considered. It is beneficial if there a
nearby pond or other natural source of fresh and
clean water for your cows.

An additional factor that adds in the cost to
raise a cow is the expenses that you will have
to incur in medicines. This includes
vaccinations, vitamins, de-worming, castration
and veterinary check-ups. A lot of farmers do
some of these health measures to their cattle on
their own without consulting a vet. However, if
you do not want any risks to your animal's
health, consulting with a professional
veterinarian is advised. Moreover, when sickness
strikes your cattle you have to isolate them and
get them proper medical attention so as not to
contaminate the others. There are also common
sicknesses that affect cattle. As a farm manager
it is wise if you study and read about these
common sicknesses and learn how to treat them so
as to save on your cattle's medical costs.
Keeping the cleanliness of the barn or shelter
is also very important so ensure their health.


----------------------------------------------------
Are you planning to learn more tips about raising
cows and cattle? Explore your options and then
decide. Raising cattle can improve quality of
life and provide great satisfaction and
responsibility for families. If you would like
more tips on cattle farming and how to raise
cattle, just go to:
http://www.howtoraisecattle.com



EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=269209

>