Would it be worth it?

[katie_k]

I am currently a sophmore in high school and am in my second year working with beef and i really really wan to buy a heifer of my own.  The only problem is i will be leaving for college in a few years. I have 2 years of high school left and im taking my first 2 years of generals at my community college to save money so i have about 4 years left. Is it worth the money buying a heifer at my age? I wont have a ton of extra time once im in college. I just need some friendly advice. I have someone i can either have hold on to her while im in college or i would sell her to him. Please help thanks so much

 

[sjc]

My cows paid for my University bills - tuition, books, room and board. Its an investment and if you have someone to look after them for you - go for it. The industry looks positive,for the first time in awhile. I say go for it. Good luck

 

[katie_k]

My cows paid for my University bills - tuition, books, room and board. Its an investment and if you have someone to look after them for you - go for it. The industry looks positive,for the first time in awhile. I say go for it. Good luck

Thank you! So your saying with the right amount of time i could earn somthing off this?

 

[mainegirl]

I am in my 4th year of college and I own 10 cows and heifers on my own that I bought/ raised  since my sophmore year in high school. I'm gone during the week at school, but I'm lucky enough to have a brother that is willing to take of all the feeding while I'm gone. Plus, my school isn't so far away that I am able to come home every weekend to help with the farm. Its a family business. My dad has his and my brother has some that he bought and raised (he's a junior in high school now).

When I decided to show heifers is when we officially decided to start raising show calves and we're steadily growing each year. Yes, I am away from my cows and don't get to help care for them as much right now, but the calves I raise and sell goes towards some of my schooling and of course back in the cows. So when I do graduate, I will already have something that is bringing in  some $$ and I can keep improving my herd instead of just starting out right when I graduate.

It really just depends on your situation. If you have someone that wouldn't mind caring for them while you're gone. Then I say go for it. The only thing that I hate is that I don't get to be around them everyday, but I love the fact that I have my own cows and my calves are going to young kids that enjoy showing like I do and they are doing well in the ring. I hope this helps.

 

[Okotoks]

My cows paid for my University bills - tuition, books, room and board. Its an investment and if you have someone to look after them for you - go for it. The industry looks positive,for the first time in awhile. I say go for it. Good luck

Thank you! So your saying with the right amount of time i could earn somthing off this?

Make sure you get insurance, it might seem expensive but if anything happens you would at least have your initial investment back.

 

[Sassy2899]

I showed cattle out of my dads beef herd until I was a sophmore in high school. Then after that I started buying my own heifers from the money I got from selling steers at the county fair. I now have four heifers of my own that are all do to calve at the end of February.  I am a senior in high shcool, so yes I believe it would be great for you to buy your own heifer as a sophmore. 

Okotoks is correct get insurance on your heifer! It will help in the long run. I had a friend whose barn cought on fire and he lost his beef project that year.  It's said but it happens.

 

[Diamond]

Don't put off till tomorrow what can be done today....in other words go for it, even if you have to sell her down the road, the memories you'll make will last a lifetime.

 

[LittleHeifer]

absolutely go for it. I began cattle sophmore year I didn't get my Heifer till last year my senior year. I love her and will soon be making money off her calves(knock on wood) and I have bought more Heifers. Beleive me the memories you make are amazing. I wouldn't trade my memories for anything. But I agree make sure you get insurance
little Heifer

 

[showsteerdlux]

It would be worth it long as it was managed correctly. You will see possible reproductive problems if she is on the same nutrition program as your steers.......

 

[blackcows]

I would say go for it, if it doesn't work out chalk it up to experience.  One thing to be aware of is that with only 1 head you will be either 100% or 0% when it comes to things like death loss, breeding percentage, weaning percentage, etc.  As someone once told me if it breaths it can die, chance are things will be great but certainly be prepared for disapointment but expect success.

 

[katie_k]

Would you suggest getting more than one? If so how many? and no she wouldn't be on the same program my steer is, but i didn't appreciate that jab at my project.

 

[kfacres]

The KEY is having someone (parents in my case) that will take care of the livestock while you are away.. and take care of them right..  It doesn't matter if you have 1 or 100.  In my case, I went to Juco, about 100 miles away, but since I was on the judging team, I only got to come home for the weekends, maybe 2 or 3 times a semester..  I went to the university, about 5 hours away from home, and made it home even less, for it was far too expensive...  My parents told me they would take care of everything for 4 years, until I can get a "real" job-- and start doing it myself again.  I have that real job now, and don't start until the end of Feb.. but atleast I can lamb out my own ewes, for the 1st time in 4 years!

Now on the other hand, I have a cousin, that has had her own livestock since about 4th grade (or so)  She's now a freshman in HS.  I know her parents wouldn't do the same thing, as they have no desire to help her out now...  In her case, if my parents don't do it, or don't push her to go to college.. then she's not going, or if she does go.. the livestock are getting sold off. 

I just bought a flock of ewes from a similar story, as the folks youngest kids were headed off to college and they wanted to sell them... 

I suggest that you sit down and ask/ talk this over with your parents, ffa adviser, and whoever it is that you are currently keeping your steer at's house..  They will be able to better give you sound advice and knowlege about what you are asking, rather than a bunch of people you have never met, don't know the names of.. and just are known as a screen name/ picture.

 

[FutureBreeder2013]

Would you suggest getting more than one? If so how many? and no she wouldn't be on the same program my steer is, but i didn't appreciate that jab at my project.

It didn't really sound like a jab to your project. Whats he's saying is heifers don't do so well on the same ration as steers because of the way they need to develope.

I'm also a sophomore in high school and bought a heifer with the money from my last years steer project. IMO it's a good idea to start whenever you want as long as you have a passion for it and plan on doing it for years to come.

 

[katie_k]

So what im getting out of this is that if its somthing i really want that i should go for it. What would you suggest i look for and get. (number of heifers, breed, age) also what should i expect to pay for them?

 

[FutureBreeder2013]

Read up a little it more and see what other people did. Buy a heifer with money from your steer then show her if you want after that breed her and sell her calf or keep or sel that calf and possibly grow from there.

 

[Sassy2899]

Well since your blog name is Shorthorn Girl I  assume you must like shorthorns , as do I.  When is your county fair?  Is county fair your last show for this show season or will you go to your state fair? these are some questions I ask myself when ever I consider buying a heifer.  I like my heifers to be as old as possible for my county fair, that way they will be nice and big and breed by the time fair roles around. If you have any other questions or need some help with anything just shoot me a PM I would be glad to help you.

 

[vcsf]

The KEY is having someone (parents in my case) that will take care of the livestock while you are away.. and take care of them right..  It doesn't matter if you have 1 or 100.  In my case, I went to Juco, about 100 miles away, but since I was on the judging team, I only got to come home for the weekends, maybe 2 or 3 times a semester..  I went to the university, about 5 hours away from home, and made it home even less, for it was far too expensive...  My parents told me they would take care of everything for 4 years, until I can get a "real" job-- and start doing it myself again.  I have that real job now, and don't start until the end of Feb.. but atleast I can lamb out my own ewes, for the 1st time in 4 years!

Now on the other hand, I have a cousin, that has had her own livestock since about 4th grade (or so)  She's now a freshman in HS.  I know her parents wouldn't do the same thing, as they have no desire to help her out now...  In her case, if my parents don't do it, or don't push her to go to college.. then she's not going, or if she does go.. the livestock are getting sold off. 

I just bought a flock of ewes from a similar story, as the folks youngest kids were headed off to college and they wanted to sell them... 

I suggest that you sit down and ask/ talk this over with your parents, ffa adviser, and whoever it is that you are currently keeping your steer at's house..  They will be able to better give you sound advice and knowlege about what you are asking, rather than a bunch of people you have never met, don't know the names of.. and just are known as a screen name/ picture.

I believe that this is the best and most truthful thing that "the truth" has ever posted and very good advice to take.

 

[blackcows]

So what im getting out of this is that if its somthing i really want that i should go for it. What would you suggest i look for and get. (number of heifers, breed, age) also what should i expect to pay for them?

If you are not buying something to show I would suggest you buy a bred heifer, you are a year closer to your money and based on the type and kind of cattle you are buying you may not spend much more money.

 

[katie_k]

Well since your blog name is Shorthorn Girl I  assume you must like shorthorns , as do I.  When is your county fair?  Is county fair your last show for this show season or will you go to your state fair? these are some questions I ask myself when ever I consider buying a heifer.  I like my heifers to be as old as possible for my county fair, that way they will be nice and big and breed by the time fair roles around. If you have any other questions or need some help with anything just shoot me a PM I would be glad to help you.

Our county fair is at the end of july. the very last week. I dont do any other shows besides this one but i might do state fair and another smaller one. And yes i do like shorthorns, but im open to other ideas too.  THanks so much for you advice

 

[Sassy2899]

Since your show is the end of July i would suggest you look for a heifer that was born from January-March ( if you find one that was born in April she would be fine to but your gonna have to push her harder).  Crossbreds, Chiannina and some times Shothorns can be pretty competiteve sometimes if you have a lot of people paying big money to buy calves at your county fair. I know I do.