Have you ever wondered how much work goes into raising livestock? Those picturesque country snapshots of cattle grazing on a lush green pasture add incredible beauty to our county, but it's not as easy as it looks.

I recently wrote an article in our annual Agricultural Updates newsletter about owning livestock. Livestock is a serious commitment. A majority of animal owners truly enjoy having animals, even though they must be very observant and "on call" 24 hours a day. Fences can break and animals can get loose any time of the day or night. This often requires the cancellation of other plans or leaving the comfort of a warm bed to corral animals.

Raising animals isn't for everyone. However, it can be a very rewarding experience for those who think through all the needs of owning livestock. I have traveled all over Robeson County, and some of the happiest people I have met and worked with have front porches with rocking chairs overlooking pastures where cows, horse, goats, and even buffalo graze.

Have you ever heard the statement, "the cheapest thing about buying a horse is buying the horse." When it comes to owning livestock, or any animal for that matter, you must consider the long-term commitment for food, water, shelter, and veterinary visits. Every now and then, I receive calls from people who buy an animal without thinking it through completely. If you are considering purchasing livestock, don't even look at an animal until you have determined if you have adequate pasture and shelter available. A source of water is required. We do not recommend allowing cattle to drink out of ponds and streams due to environmental complications as well as concerns about the quality of the water for the animals.

Just as we vaccinate our children, cattle also need to be vaccinated against common diseases. Vaccinating a cow is no easy task. Good producers work their cattle often enough that the cattle become adjusted to being moved, temporarily penned, and worked. Unruly and aggressive cattle should be moved off the farm. Safety for your family is the number one priority.

Coyotes, dogs, and other predators can injure and kill livestock. Animal producers often purchase dogs, llamas, or even donkeys as methods of deterring predators. These guard animals protect the herds by barking and causing commotion. Have you ever heard a donkey bray? It is a very unpleasant noise!

Often times, if you ride by a cattle farm, you will see a bright yellow tag attached to the cattle's ears. This is an identification tag, allowing producers to keep detailed records of their herd, such as when cows are moved to a new pasture and when they will calve. This is also an added safety measure in case disease outbreaks were to take place. Properly identified animals can be traced back to their origin, and that farm can be quickly quarantined, preventing the spread of disease.

Keeping animals identified can lead to sound business management decisions. If a certain cow gets unruly or has a health issue, she can be quickly identified and removed from the farm.

Most producers in Robeson County have cow/calf operations. This involves a set of brood cows, or momma cows, that are kept year round. Every year, the momma cows should give birth to a healthy calf. When the calves are old enough to be on their own, they are weaned and later sold.

We do have a few producers in the county who finish out their calves for meat. Moore Brothers' "All Natural Beef" in Prospect is an example of a finishing operation. Calves are raised on the Moore Brothers' farm, slaughtered, and then either sold at the retail store in Prospect or the meat is delivered to restaurants. I encourage you to visit their store and buy local.

Most producers in our area load their calves and take them to various livestock markets. Robeson County lost its only livestock barn when the one in Pembroke burned down years ago. All but a few of our producers have to take their animals out of the county to sale them.

A great benefit to this county would be the formation of a Beef Cattle Trailer Sale group. This would allow producers to market their calves together. Calves can be grouped based on weight, color, and/or gender. This would bring increased value to Robeson County calves. It would be ideal to have a covered location and working facility for these sales. A trailer sale group would allow producers to group their calves and sell them directly off the farm, instead of having to haul them to a livestock sale barn.

This February, Cooperative Extension will provide a "Business of Beef" Course at the Extension Center in Scotland County. Classes will be held every Thursday in February at 6:30. This course is the follow-up to last year's award winning "Beef Cattle 101" Class that was provided for people interested in getting started or new to the cattle business.

"Business of Beef" will include instructions from beef specialists from across the state as well as local business leaders. Topics and presentations will include up-to-date information on the cattle industry, goal setting, business planning, marketing methods, alliances, calving seasons, bull fertility, heifer selection, natural service vs. artificial insemination, forage systems, and comparative feeding.

The course will conclude with a Saturday field trip to Union and Stanly Counties where students will visit a sale barn, work cattle, and visit two successful cattle operations. The fee for the class is $25 to cover the cost of notebooks, food, and field trip transportation. If you are interested, please call Michelle Shooter, Extension livestock agent, at Cooperative Extension at 671-3276 for more information.

Whether a business or hobby, raising livestock has its own pros and cons. If you are considering becoming a livestock owner, make sure you do your homework before purchasing any animals.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 03/18/09