If you are raising a cow for beef, Robbins said that grass-fed cows will be ready to eat at around 28 to 30 months, while grain-fed cows can be ready by 15 to 16 months. “If you just want to keep an animal for yourself in a freezer, buy stocker or a heifer [that's between] 600 and 700 pounds,” Knight said.
The gestation period for a cow is around 283 days. Her diet needs to be monitored carefully to ensure that she continues to grow while pregnant, as she is not fully grown until about 3 years old. The cow produces milk immediately after, or even just before, giving birth.
Cows have a 9 month gestation period and typically have a calf every 12 months. All cows spend their entire lives (Approx. 7-10 years) grazing on grass or forage and mothering baby calves. When they are no longer able to have calves, cows are harvested for beef (see final stage).
1. Add Grain into Their Daily Diet. While your cattle likely make their primary diet of hay and grass forage, adding some healthy grains too can increase their weight substantially over time. Grain won't from the basis of your herd's nutrition, but the calorically-dense food can provide a boost to cattle weight.
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If you are raising a cow for beef, Robbins said that grass-fed cows will be ready to eat at around 28 to 30 months, while grain-fed cows can be ready by 15 to 16 months. “If you just want to keep an animal for yourself in a freezer, buy stocker or a heifer [that's between] 600 and 700 pounds,” Knight said.
The gestation period for a cow is around 283 days. Her diet needs to be monitored carefully to ensure that she continues to grow while pregnant, as she is not fully grown until about 3 years old. The cow produces milk immediately after, or even just before, giving birth.
Cows have a 9 month gestation period and typically have a calf every 12 months. All cows spend their entire lives (Approx. 7-10 years) grazing on grass or forage and mothering baby calves. When they are no longer able to have calves, cows are harvested for beef (see final stage).
1. Add Grain into Their Daily Diet. While your cattle likely make their primary diet of hay and grass forage, adding some healthy grains too can increase their weight substantially over time. Grain won't from the basis of your herd's nutrition, but the calorically-dense food can provide a boost to cattle weight.