Raising cattle is not for the faint-hearted! Far too often farmers grow a deep fondness for each of their cows – something that takes them by the heart unexpectedly…
Are Cows Stupid Creatures?
A popular myth is that cows are simple creatures – not very smart. Yet studies have shown that they are actually the smartest in the barnyard, smarter even than pigs (who have now been documented to have the mental capacity of a three year old human child.
Pigs can be house-trained, walked on a leash, taught to fetch, sit, and much more.) Would it not stand to reason then that if we spent the same time with a cow even more parlor tricks could be accomplished?
If you’re under the impression that cows are of lesser intelligence than most animals you’ll change your mind once you’ve raised one.
Even if you’ve taken on raising a cow with the intention of beef in the freezer at a later date, you may be shocked to find yourself thinking of cattle more as beloved pets than as a food source. This is especially if you’ve ever had to bottle feed one, or nurse one back to health for any reason!
If you are wondering why YOUR cow might appear to be so dumb, check or change your notions about the beast – as with any animal they are incredibly intuitive!
You may find that you have only been given that which you expected! Your cow just might surprise you if you change your attitude! Studies have shown that cows are sensitive to owners who handle them with patience and care – more sensitive than a dog!
Raising A Healthy Herd
Cattle require a gentle hand and they all thrive on punctuality and routine. Be kind with them, follow a schedule and your herd will be healthier and stress-free.
My father-in-law used to raise Registered Polled Herefords for a grass fed beef marketplace product. These are a large beef breed of cattle and the last calf born on his farm was 140 lbs at birth. My uncle Al Shier from Bobcaygeon, Ontario was the first man to bring Limosin cattle into Canada and he, too, raises his herd with an appreciative hand – as such both these farmers are known for their exceptional beef in their respective communities.
Both dairy cows and beef cattle are equally challenging and rewarding. They are great, gentle creatures who deserve incredible respect for their patience and sacrifices to their human keepers. If you are raising cattle for milk, meat or market you’ll find that the cow, steer, heifer calf or bull raised with care is the one who’ll produce the most valuable end product!
Assisting a cow during the birth experience with a baby this size is not for the meek or timid.
It goes without saying that most bulls are raised only to a few years of age, then taken off to the cattle butchers – that can be a difficult task when you’ve helped bring the cow into the world or worse, if you’ve been the one at home feeding a newborn with a bottle for the first 4 months of his life. It takes an entirely new mindset, operating from a sense of logic rather than sentiment.
My Personal Experience with Raising Cows
I have raised (or helped to raise) just about every herd animal now and the most moving and mentality-altering experience I’ve had raising animals involved a bull beef calf. He was bought young to be raised for the sole purpose of sending to the freezer at full growth.
Not caring that I sound ridiculous here, I’ll share that I never ate one bit of that bull, and honestly I don’t each much beef now that I’ve had a hand in raising them.
However I am not judgmental of my family, who loves beef more than any other protein, or of anyone reading this – this is simply my personal journey told.
I didn’t spend any consequential time with that bull calf – but I stood with him once when he was ill and I checked in on him whenever I visited my friend’s barn. During those days something touched me about the life we give the animals we raise and my own methods changed from then on.
Feel free to drop me a line or submit a personal cattle related story. I realize that the world is made up of differing viewpoints on raising beef or eating beef. You don’t have to agree with my views on cows to collaborate. I’ll publish your essay on these cattle pages so that all may benefit!
Farm Tractor Auctions!
If you’re raising cattle you will need a tractor! But don’t be shoveling all that waste into a heap and leaving it to rot – cow manure is the magic ingredient in any country garden.
If you don’t have a tractor, check out the tractor sales below, plus over 300 others.
Hello there,
I enjoyed reading your posts, but I wanted to ask you, we have bought a 15 acer ranch in Oakdale,CA,we have had it for 4 yrs and have let other farmers use it to graze there cows on, but I really want to start and raise my own, can you give me any info regards books, or something your self can pass on to me, I am just looking into it all right now, so any help you have would be great, looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely
Jane
Hi Jane! Great to see you here on GoodByeCityLife.
What kind of cows were you thinking of raising? Dairy or Beef?
Laura Childs
Hello,
I moved from the city in California to the country in Kansas just 3 weeks ago and we really love it so far. We ordered out baby chicks online today and will have both egg layers and meat birds. We have been talking about possible raising a pig or cow for the freezer but I don’t know if we have enough space…..only a couple of acres. What do you think? Any wisdom you could share would be greatly appreciated.
Best Regards,
April
April,
I raise pigs for the freezer myself. Never more than two at a time though. My pen is 16×16 hog panels. Just make sure they have shelter, plenty of water and all the feed they can eat, I usually feed about 5 gallons of feed per day for two pigs. About the last 3-4 weeks before processing I put them on straight corn. It helps marbelize the fat. Your local Farm & Home can help with what type of feed to give them. Just let them know they are feeder pigs and not for show.
I enjoyed reading your column on cow intelligence. My husband got me a Limousin for my birthday. She has horns, and I don’t want to remove them. Where can I find the balls to cover the points to protect the other cows? Though John grew up on a family dairy farm (we live there now), we do not farm for profit. We now have a few cows simply as pets who will keep our upper fields free of brush. They live a long life!
When cows are in the field for the day, do they need to herded back to the barn in the evening or do they return to the barn on their own?
This depends on the cows. Dairy cows will usually come back in all on their own – they’ll be looking for relief and need to be milked.
I can only whole-heartedly agree: cows/ cattle are intelligent creatures. I would not put them on the same pedalstool as the horse but close second.
I grew up in Bavaria and Austria, so in my childhood there was always a cow within reach, so to speak.
Cows have always fascinated me and I love their eyes and wet noses.
Even their smell is endearing to me.
I have learnt to appreciate farm life and its animals from early on and since the age of 14 never touched meat again.
I do however eat chicken and fish.
I often get raised eyebrows when I say I do not eat mammals but I simply cannot get over eating my brothers and sisters.
And being born in an Ox year, certainly adds to that as well.
I think the cow is the most misunderstood and underrated animal we keep as farm animal and it saddens me that most people think of them as “dull cows” when they have got such lovely personalities.
Mooooooh!
My husband got two male calf at an auction. We bottle-fed them and he is upset that I told him I won’t eat them. He also got a goose and I won’t eat it either. When you take time with animals it is hard to look at them as food. They are my buddies. I live in a the country so there aren’t too many people around.
Cathy I am sorry that you and your husband don’t see eye to eye on eating the animals you raise. Everyone has a differing opinion on this but from my perspective I will always eat from the animals I raised vs. the absolute garbage that is sold in the grocery store. The animals that are raised for commercial meat today live horrible lives under terrible conditions and are fed the absolute worse feed the feedlots and poultry houses can buy.
If we will not eat the animals we raise, that have lived happy lives and have been cared for, housed and fed…well then we really shouldn’t be eating any meat at all. I have been ‘preaching’ this for years – finally some of the research of all the cancer(s) North Americans are being afflicted by are coming to light. GiGo – Garbage in, Garbage out – that is how we treat the animals that we eventually put on our tables when we buy our meat at the local stores.
I have nothing against vegetarians, I’ve been one myself, as I’d rather eat nothing than eat an animal a corporation has raised for the sole purpose of profit.
Hi Laura,
My husband and I are very interested in learning to raise cows for beef, not dairy and was wondering what your suggestions would be as to how to go about it?