Does cows "need" fencing?

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We've got 97 acres of mountain land. The mountains form the shape of a "V" with the valley running through the center. The steepness of the hillsides requires me to pull myself up with the use of branches and brush (then it's 2 steps up and 1 slide down). I'm thinking that a cow would have a heck of a time doing the same thing. Do I need to fence them in anyway?

Also, I hear that Belted Galloways will eat and clear brush more so than other cows. Does anyone here own that type?

-- Peggy Adkins (adkinsonthefarm@hotmail.com), July 11, 2000

Answers

I have read Scotish Highland cattle are excellent at clearing brush. I've only owned three Belted Gallaways. I did notice when the rest of the cows were in the shade lounging, they were out grazing.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 11, 2000.

About fencing them. When we purchased our property it was originally a large 100 acre wooded area that was absorbed by the National Forest until the owner died and the family realized the land had been lost and reclaimed it to sell. (thank goodness for us :) When we came to look the place had cattle running free, except for two cattle guards along the road about 1 mile apart. It took a long time for them to be all rounded up and moved once the property was all sold. So no a fence isn't needed in some circumstances. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), July 12, 2000.

Peggy,

We have belted galloways. I've not noticed them to have a particular fondness for brush. Ours have always had plenty of grass. I also read that they were good foragers. I suspect they would have to be in an area without good grass for this to be so. Perhaps some other beltie owners with more experience can give advice. We've only had them for about a year.

-- Mona (jascamp@ipa.net), July 12, 2000.


I do not know about Belted Galloways or whether fencing would be necessary in those circumstances although reason would say it probably wouldn't. However, besides perimeter fencing we also have our pastures fenced off into smaller sections as recommended by the U. of Ky. ag dept. Supposedly this keeps the grass from being trampled as much by the cattle and if you move them around every few days from pasture to pasture,keeps them from eating the grass down to close which is not good. Something for thought. We have over 90 acres but about 45 of it is woods so we graze around 45 acres and we have 9 fenced off fields so that's about 5 acres each. We have 10 cows and one bull and of course hopefully in the spring, 10 calves! It is definitely not a big money maker. Our biggest gain is the tax savings but at this point with the drought we are in, we are not sure it is worth it! If you sell them at auction we haven't noticed it makes any difference what kind of cattle you have. Think they are going to cheat you no matter what!

-- barbara (barbaraj@mis.net), July 12, 2000.

Bear in mind cattle have four wheel drive. I've seen some of mine go up 45 degree or more slopes without a lot a problem. Of course, there has to be a need for them to get out. This one happened to be a small hay field up in the woods which, for some reason, tasted better than what they had.

On cattle markets, I guess I'm like everyone else. If I'm selling prices are way too low. If I'm buying, prices are way too high. About the only thing you can do is to sell and buy on the same market day. The three Belted Gallaways (Oreos or Belties) I sold brought competitive prices. I don't know how Scotish Highland would do since they look so different with the long coats. I can dig up the address of the national society of either if you want them for more information. Seems a trade-off. If you want competitive prices on sales, BGs are probably better. If you want natural brush clearing, SHs are probably better.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 12, 2000.



Hi peggy> Sounds to me like a perfect job for goats.

-- Mike (mstydale@aeroinc.net), July 12, 2000.

And you would definitely need to fence the goats!! LOL!! Re: the selling prices of cattle, instead of selling them at auction, get on the internet and advertise your organic, grass-fed beef to the health- conscious! These people are paying premium prices for good meat that hasn't been through a feed-lot -- you'd have to arrange for local butchering, and ship the product, but you would sure make more than auction prices!! Check out some of the places on the 'net that sell this product to get an idea of what they are charging. And look at the paleo-diet pages for an idea of where to advertise.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), July 14, 2000.

Several years ago I tried everything I could think of to sell some of my year old steers as raised under organic conditions. Sold a grand total of one. Problem with selling over the Internet is mostly what Omaha Steak, etc. are selling are the best of the best of the cuts. What happens to the rest of the carcass? Also, I'm in a area of a number of small-scale cattle raisers. Most have a relative or neighbor they get their freezer beef from.

-- Ken Scharabok (scharabo@aol.com), July 16, 2000.

adlkjf

-- ald (kljd@lkja.edu), July 17, 2000.

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