Make Sure Your Land Can Handle Your Herd

Just because you have plenty of land and are ready to start your own cattle ranch, don’t take all of that land for granted. You are dealing with cattle that care a lot more about their feed than they care about how much land upon which they can roam. Let’s say you purchase your land in the spring when the grass is green and looks healthy. It doesn’t stay that way for long. By summer time it can become very hard and dry, so make sure you are prepared to deal with the different seasons and the effects they can have on your land and your herd.

It isn’t what most cattle ranchers think about when they get into the business as romantic visions of cowboy life are glorified, ,but that has nothing to do with today’s cattle ranching industry. You have to learn about different types of grass and plan the future of your ranch on the type of grass you use. You also have to make sure that your land is capable of producing the types of grass you are looking for to supply feed for your cattle.

It isn’t all about the use of land and grass that produce a successful cattle ranch. Shelter is also vital in raising a productive and profitable herd. You don’t need to spend a fortune on high-tech shelter, because most of your herd will be perfectly content to spend their time roaming the land that you provide as long as you make sure they are well fed and have plenty of medical attention.

If you know your land and understand what your herd wants and needs, the cattle should feel welcome. Make sure that there are trees so that the cattle can find shade and the trees can also provide shelter when it rains or snows.  

Making sure your fences are in good working order is vital. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but sturdy wired fencing can keep your cattle from roaming out of bounds and into dangerous territory. Cattle ranching ahs its challenges but it doesn’t have to be difficult if you are willing to put up the financial resources and treat the cattle as a little more than a revenue producer. Taking quality care of your cattle will go a long way to producing a quality cattle ranch and the financial benefits go a long way. 

Jeff Berlinicke