There are many producers with small herds across Canada. In fact, in 2021 31% of farms with cattle reported having 32 head or less and 22% have between 33 and 72. But what specifically defines a “small herd?”
A small herd likely means something different depending on the region, available resources and how producers choose to define their operation. Commonalities across most small herds include being family-owned and operated with fewer than 30 head of cattle, no employees on the farm or limited part-time help with the bulk of income coming from off-farm employment. A small herd may be a well-established operation or perhaps a new venture beginning to build the herd.
The Beef Cattle Research Council have produced a series of podcasts for beef producers small and big at beefresearch.ca/blog.
Being a smaller operator can pose challenges when managing a beef herd. Time is often limited and, as with most operations, the purse strings can be tight. Because of this, getting the most bang for your buck is important.
Tip #1: Keep records.
Knowing your starting point is essential before determining where you want to go. When you have a smaller herd, it’s especially important that every animal pulls their weight and is an asset. Record keeping can help identify the “cash cows” and those that need to be culled.
Tip #2: Develop a grazing plan.
Know what you have and use it to maximize future potential. It is important to understand the carrying capacity of your field – how many animals can be sustained on that area for how long?
Tip #3: Focus on cattle handling.
Your time is valuable and your safety is non-negotiable. Good handling practices also improve animal health and welfare. Reducing stress results in calmer animals, which can allow producers to be better able to properly access and assess cattle.
Tip #4: Define the calving season.
Establishing a clear calving period can benefit both your management and bottom line. A cow should have a calf every year. While that is a straightforward and simple statement, cattle producers know it takes effort, planning and management to make this happen. One way to achieve this goal is to establish well-defined breeding and calving seasons. For example, defining your calving period to a controlled 60–90-day period has been shown to improve uniformity of your cattle for marketing purposes, allows your breeding herd adequate time to recover before re-breeding, reduces labour, improves weaning weights and allows you to time vaccinations more accurately.
Tip #5: Invest in building a team.
Farming does not have to be a one-person show. Extension specialists, nutritionists, vets, accountants/farm business specialists, among other professionals in your area can serve as invaluable resources to help you succeed. Investing time into these relationships allows these individuals to know your herd, understand your needs and help you through challenges.
Source: Beef Cattle Research Council
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