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Cattle Farming

Ashwini Kulkarni Sule
Cattle farming is the best form of livestock farming as it ensures maximum returns at minimal inputs. Read on to know more..
Are you bothered about your piece of land which grows nothing but grass? Are you looking for ways to gain high net income without investing much? Are you fond of farming and looking for lucrative options in this field? Well, cattle farming could be your answer to all the above questions.
It is the most beneficial of all farming activities. It promises high returns without having to invest too much of time, money and efforts. However, to optimize your profits, you need to understand the nuances of cattle farming. Here are some facts that will help you to better understand this activity.

Purpose

There are various ways in which you can implement cattle farming to your benefit. You can either rear cattle for organic farming or dairy purposes or you can raise them to sell directly to beef wholesalers or consumers.
You can either take it up as a sole activity or combine it with other livestock farming activities. However, undertaking only cattle farming means more profit at very less efforts.

Why Cattle Farming

If you have tried your hand at any of the livestock farming activities, you must have realized that it is no kid's play. You have to look after several management issues such as animal feed, disease control, market returns etc. Though, cattle farming does not alleviate any of these issues, it certainly reduces the labor efforts behind each of the tasks.
Since, cattle are naturally sturdy, they are less prone to diseases and infections as compared to other livestock. Similarly, since you do not rear cattle in large numbers, the feeding problems associated with every individual cattle are reduced. Moreover, transportation of cattle for buying or selling purpose is also easy.

Cattle Farming for Beginners

If you are a novice in this field, then you might need to consult someone who may be able to guide you on cattle farming. First you need to understand if you have all the resources for cattle farming at your disposal. If not, you'll have to see if you can arrange for them.
Depending upon your purpose, you'll have to make a business plan that will take into account your resources and expenses. A concrete business plan can give you an insight on whether this business is feasible for you or not. If the purpose of your business is to raise calves for meat, then you should buy a few high quality cows.
You could either impregnate them with artificial insemination or you may require the services of herd bull. The calves should be fed until they attain a weight of 400 pounds. They can be a lucrative option for beef wholesalers if you feed them a little over 400 pounds
While buying cattle you should take into account a few facts. It is always best to go for regular sized cattle or buy all cattle that is more or less the same size. This can alleviate the animal-specific feeding issues. It is best to avoid animals with abnormal fat as they are likely to gain weight over a period of time.
Generally, an alert animal that moves around normally and has bright eyes is considered best for cattle farming. Avoid buying cattle that does not meet these basic requirements. Thus, along with the breed of the animal, one should also focus on its size and quality.
Farmers are slowly becoming aware of the myriad attractive opportunities in the cattle farming business. An intelligent insight of market conditions, a good understanding of the needs in your local region, marketing strategies and a sturdy business plan that covers all the possibilities can easily allow you to encash these opportunities.