
How to Get Started in Beef Farming
Beef farming is among some of the most lucrative businesses since beef has a high demand. You can either breed the calves or buy them, then feed them till they attain the slaughter weight. Globally, the USA, Brazil, and China produce around 51% of beef. Beef is an important source of nutrition for many people worldwide. In the last 50 years, the demand has been growing and meat production has more than tripled. Currently, the world produces more than 340 million tons per year.
This is a simplified guide to raising bull calves and planning for beef production.
Bull Calf Rearing:
Farmers generally raise cattle for milk, beef, or both. Breeds such as Friesian, Ayrshire, and Jersey are generally kept for milk production, whereas Boran, Sahiwal, and Fleckvieh are kept as beef breeds. The Boran and Sahiwal breeds, and their crosses, are well-suited to arid and semi-arid regions due to their tolerance of harsh conditions and tick-borne diseases.
Fleckvieh is considered a dual-purpose breed-an essential source of milk and meat. In the case of such breeds, the farmer may raise bull calves associated with the dairy business or solely for beef purposes. In most cases, the farm is managed entirely for milk production, hence removing the bull calf- an opportunity for a beef farmer.
There are two possible ways of dealing with the bull calf:
- He is sold as soon as he is born.
- He is raised for beef since he will be fed and fattened for the very purpose.
- To breed them as future breeding bulls.

Beef Production Planning
Planning will be your very foundation in beef production. You will need to ensure a constant supply of calves and also adequate fodder during all seasons of the year. You will also need to plan for the correct finishing weight, housing, and water needs.
Main Considerations:
Sourcing Bull Calves: Bull calves are usually sold from 2 days old to 1 month old. The younger the calf, the more care it would need. They would need to be fed on milk or milk replacers for at least two months. If possible, for a complete beginner, easier options would be calves that are already 2 months or older; they will probably cost more.
Housing: Immediately separate the calves on arrival, and monitor the health status for 2 weeks. Provide a separate stall for the calf until the age of 2 months, and later group according to body weight. This will help in ensuring ease of feeding and handling.
Feeding: Feed the milk or milk replacers with calf pellets, sufficient fresh water, and quality forage as the animal grows.
Health Management:
Calves are sensitive animals and stress easily, so handle them gently. In close consultation with the veterinarian, develop a health program that will incorporate vaccinations and parasite control. Tick-borne diseases, especially ECF, are a significant threat, so regular tick control is highly essential.
Marketing Beef:
Your bulls from high-grade pedigree cows grow much faster and can be marketed for slaughter at 18-24 months of age. The local butcheries are usually the easiest outlet for the small-scale farmer. However, when you have several animals, you may market them in wider markets. Keep in mind that the prices for dairy-beef animals are usually lower than those from traditional beef breeds such as Boran due to their higher bone-to-meat ratio. As earlier said, finishing them with quality feed supplemented by finishes raises the quality of the meat.
Caution:
One of the major challenges to initiating beef farming is the ability to find enough weaned calves. Be sure you have a consistent supply of calves, and take some time to calculate your cost to purchase and raise the calves versus your expected return for your product. This can help with estimating your anticipated profit and preparing for your business.