Well, she's almost a month old, now. We had a calf born on November 5th, at the farm. I'm a figgurin', in the case of SHTF, on bartering a lot - not a new topic here I am sure. Beef in Southeast Asia, as a rule, isn't all that good. But, locals love it. So, this is something I would have no problems parting with, in exchange for goods and services by locals. And, a herd of cows is also fairly cheap to maintain. They eat mostly grass, with some supplements along the way. So, we have begun building our herd. I'm not sure of the breed. However, each cow can produce one calf per year, typically. We figure to have four new calves next year (2017), six the following (2018), and at least eight more in 2019. That is, unless I get a hold of other stock by bartering or buying, before then. I want to have at least 50 head at the farm, which would give me enough new stock each year and plenty to barter with in between births.
Congratulations @Asia-Off-Grid on your bouncing baby calf. You plan on raising a herd sounds smart. Why is the beef not good in Asia? Is it a grazing issue or the breed?
Depends on what part of Asia.....slaughtering cows and eating beef produce might be a health hazard in India. Beef cattle can be found in most countries in S.E.A., though the area offers particular challenges to producers. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3166e.pdf Using breeds that are resistant to heat and parasites is the key to cattle farming in South East Asia, where tropical environments prevail. Cattle for the tropics - CSIROpedia Brahmans and Belmont Reds would seem to be suitable breeds for a tropical environment. Belmont Red - Wikipedia Brahman (cattle) - Wikipedia
I may be wrong, but it sure looks like it has some Brahman in it. Via:AFC Cooperative Farming News - Daniel Peters' Brahmans Seem More Like Pets Than Livestock
Naw. Watched 14 seasons of Bonanza and workin' on season 6 (of 20) of Gunsmoke! Not sure if it is due to care or feeding. Research ahead! @chelloveck Here are some other images from that day. Still nothing with a full on view of the calf. However, momma cow did give us a fairly straight on look.
Here that Cow would have the cow cops on ya for under feeding or some reason they could make coin & their jobs look like there needed. I'll take my Camera down on Tue. & take a few shots of moving a few Black Angus Bulls around the ranch. Sloth
Thanks for the pictures @Asia-Off-Grid Those cows are very different from the cows over here. They look more like those wild cows in Africa? I think that is where they are located. I know there are wild ones that have that hump between the shoulder blades.
Mother looks like a Brahman, but it may be crossed with other breeds.....time will tell. The breed that Motomom speaks of is the Zebu....which also has a passing likeness..... Zebu - Wikipedia
@Motomom34 @chelloveck that may be the breed, Brahman. Here is the same mama cow with her two-years old male off-spring, back in January, 2014. This cow had another calf last year, as well.
The problem for me is, the taste of the beef. Often, it is very tough. Typically, I order all my beef from a shop here in town. The beef comes from Australia. His products are 1000 times better quality than any local beef I have consumed. Of course, if I were ever in a SHTF situation in this country, I doubt I would be able to depend on his being able to continue to supply my beef products needs. So, I imagine I would either learn to get by, or give up beef for the (excellent) local pork products, or my own chickens to consume. (Pork here is as good as any found in any country I have resided in, throughout my life.)
Without knowing what breeds your supplier sources from Australia, its hard to know whether the taste difference is due to local growing conditions, or superior quality stock that is being imported. Australia exports a lot of live cattle for the S.E.A. markets, particularly to countries that require specific slaughtering protocols for religious reasons. One possibility you may wish to consider is improving your herd by using genetic material using artificial insemination, and crossing the Brahmans for heat and parasite tolerance with breeds that offer better eating qualities. Perhaps running Belmont Reds might be a possible compromise breed?
