Selecting good breeding stock is crucial to success. You want a breed that works for your family, friendly cows so you can handle and manage them, and cows without problems or that need help calving. So good genetics is key. Not that you should only look for pedigreed cows that you can see the genetics on. Though that is helpful! Registered cows are also way more expensive. So what should you look for?
Choosing a Breed
Choosing the right breed for your family, needs, and land is a big piece in having a successful system. Cattle have been selectively bred over decades to have different breeds for different needs. Kinda nice right? So what are some these options!?
Angus
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Angus cows are probably the #1 beef cattle breed in America. They're known to grow fast, develop lots of heavy muscle, and raise their calves with little to no help. They typically weigh 1,000 to 2,000lbs and can be black or red. This breed is known to need 3+ acres per cow and do better grain finished (given grain the last few months before butcher date). So if you have the land needed, or don't plan to have but a few cows, then Angus cows are a great option!!
Hereford
Herefords are well known for their near identical red and white look. They adapt well to the needed climate and mature at closer to 18 months compared to the normal 2 years. Herefords produce plenty of milk for their calves and generally do well calving. They weigh 1,200 to 2,000lbs ad like the Angus', do better grain finished. All around, they're a great breed!
Belted Galloway
Belted Galloways are a dual purpose breed. Meaning they're good for both milk and beef. They're recognized by their black bodies that have a thick white belt around their belly.
They weigh 1,200 to 2,300lbs and milk about 4 gallons a day with no calf sharing. Galloways have rather long, shaggy fur that makes them well suited for winter and cold regions.
Dexter
This is a very common breed among small homesteads, for their smaller bodies but very rich meat. We currently breed Belted Galloways but we used to keep a few Dexters and have never tasted such amazing meat. Because they're smaller, they eat less, need less room, and one cow to the butcher doesn't require you to buy a whole new freezer! They are also dual purpose and give about 2 gallons of milk a day. They range in weight from 600 to 1,000lbs and are more manageable to the new cow owner compared to a 2,000lb cow. They are black, red, and dun. Pictured is our red Dexter.
American Aberdeen
Last, but certainly not least, we have American Aberdeens. These are also on the smaller size at 900 to 1,600lbs depending on gender. They are known to have one of the best grass to muscle rates. Meaning while they're on the small side, the amount of food they eat compared to their weight is well worth it. For example, an Angus needs 3+ acres per cow where as American Aberdeens can be kept at 1 acre per cow/calf pair. Of course this depends on where you live and pasture quality though. Unfortunately I was not able to find any free pictures of this breed, and don't have any as we haven't raised them.
Genetics
When you're asking about a cow make sure to ask about their parents, offspring, and other family. It's always good to see pictures and to see what they can be. We have had some cows who aren't super big but produce the fattest calves. So sometimes it's best to judge on previous offspring.
When asking after it's family, you're looking for 3 main things. Reproduction, longevity, and health.
You want cows that will have no problem calving by themselves and that will raise their calves on their own. That will live even up to 20 years and be strong producers for at least half of that. And of course, you want cows without health issues: mastitis, ringworm, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea, foot and Mouth disease, and Johne's disease.
Personal Traits
After looking into it's genetics, of course you should take look at the cow you want to buy. Including the body shape/condition, udder, how low to the ground it's stomach is, and its personality.
The body shape should be consistent with the breed you choose, square, and chunky.
Condition should be well rounded without large open hips and thick legs.
The udder won't be massive on any beef cow, but you should be able to see the teats and when in milk, a large/full udder.
You want the stomach to be rather low to the ground with short legs. So the animal isn't wasting energy on it's big body being held up by slender long legs. There's a saying that you don't get any meat from the ground to the bottom of the, stomach. Keep that in mind.
Last but certainly NOT least, you want MANAGEABLE animals!! It's so important! If your cattle aren't manageable then they can get sick and refuse help or you never even know. They are impossible to move pastures or properties. And so hard to get to the butcher. Not to mention the danger of being in the field with a mad one. Good breeding stock will come to a bucket, will be fine with you lightly touching on them, and won't run or run easily.
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