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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/20/2008 8:31:05 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 21
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| This is my first post so please bear with me. I'm 54 years old and I want to use the farm to supplement my income when I retire in 2014. After reading extensively I have decided I want to raise Miniature Herefords for beef production. I'm not really interested in showing, but that might come later I suppose. I figure two cows and a bull to start, but I'm finding that the prices of these animals are greater near me than far away. I reside in western PA and most of the breeders I have talked to are into breeding show animals and the cost more than I can afford. On the other hand I have found what I'm looking for in OR at a price that is more fitting with my budget, but then there is transportation issues. I guess my question is does anyone know where I could buy a starter package, nearer my farm. I can buy what I'm looking for out west for the cost of one animal in the east. I'm a little frustrated.
KKid
Twelve Acre Farm
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 6:38:30 PM
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| I wish I could help you with specific information. I subscribe to the Miniature Cattle YahooGroup and suggest you join it and then post to see if there are breeders in your area that have the sort of animals you want. It's at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MiniatureCattle Transportation is a big one for all of us right now. I'd love to get a ram from a friend in Arizona who breeds my breed of sheep (Miniature Cheviots) but the cost of having one hauled by a professional transporter is prohibitive. One thing to keep in mind is that transporters charge a big chunk of money for the first animal they haul for you because they must travel to the pickup farm specifically to get that animal. However, they charge less (sometimes dramatically less) for additional animals. So, if you decide to go with those Western cattle, it would pay to buy them all from one farm or from sellers who would be willing to take their animals to a central pickup place. Also, get quotes from as many haulers as you possibly can. Prices vary greatly as do hauling rigs and service rendered, but the most expensive is not necessarily the best. This is something else you could ask about at the Miniature Cattle list. Sue
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 6:38:30 PM
Posts: 170,
Visits: 339
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/20/2008 8:31:05 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 21
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Thank you for your input... I've searched the web till my fingers hurt, but I'm not going to stop, cause I'm serious about this. I plan on retiring in 2014 and want to have things up and running by then. I want to spend my time then doing what I want to do, and miniature cattle are what I have in mind. I picked Herefords I guess because I like the way they look. That may be a silly reason, but an honest one. I want to start with a bull and two cows. I figure then I can sell a calf, which I would then use the profit to purchase another cow. We would also keep one for our own table. My goal is a herd of ten by the time I retire.
KKid
Twelve Acre Farm
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/8/2008 7:25:22 PM
Posts: 35,
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What about AI for breeding instead of getting the bull right away? A bull is a big expense to service only two cows. I would check into the costs and availability of shipped semen. The breeders you are looking at buying from should be able to give you some info, and your local vet can give you some costs also.
Dream Big.
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