I GREW 1000lb OF BEEF (AS A BEGINNER) // Grass Fed How to raise feeder steers for meat as a beginner

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In 2020 I read Salad Bar Beef by Joel Salatin. 2 years later I came full circle when I picked up 27 boxes of GRASS FED BEEF (that I grew as an absolute beginner farmer) from the processor. This video outline how I raised my first beef steer, how much it costs, and what the Grassfed beef beef tasted like!
Thank you for your support on this journey!
-the Shepherdess
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0:00 Raising Grass fed Beef as a Beginner.
1:00 How to choose the right cow or steer for growing your own beef.
3:00 What breed I chose to raise grass fed beef.
5:00 Cost of overwintering my grass fed beef steer
7:30 Cost of processing my grass fed beef steer
8:15 What does grass fed beef taste like?
Beginner Guide to raising Grassfed beef
The Best breed for raising Grassfed beef
How much land do you need to raise Grass fed beef?
What is the best cow to raise for meat?
Raising your own cow for meat.
How to raise a cow for meat
Micro Ranching for Profit
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READ MY BLOG: bit.ly/ShepherdessBLOG
SHOP MY MERCH: bit.ly/ShepherdessMERCH
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About this Channel: This channel chronicles my journey as a sheep farmer from the very beginning. My primary occupation is in business management. In 2020, I discovered the principles of regenerative agriculture and embarked on a journey with the end goal of building a profitable small farm on 23 acres by 2027. Thank you for joining the journey!
Thank you MAXKO MUSIC for the music.

[@theShepherdess]

🐑🥩CLICK HERE for my FREE GUIDE to raising beef and lamb: bit.ly/bflmbGUIDE

[@jimdibbens6669]

as an old rancher here in the hill country it's me that is humbled by the articulate way you present your videos. you break it down so people that aren't from an agriculture background can understand. please know that my prayers are for you and all the young people out there that are making the choice to get into this type of lifestyle.

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you, Jim. 🙏🏻

[@maxcheramie]

I know! I do love her videos! I'm so ready to get my animals and start feeding my family on my newly acquired 40 acres here in Louisiana.

[@LIBERTY0RDEATH]

@@maxcheramie congrats. Keep pushing!

[@timaustin9522]

Getting our first few steers in 3 days at auction. We have about 15 acres of pasture. With coming food shortages and runaway inflation, raising our own food just makes sense. Pray for our country. In 60 years, I've never seen it quite like this.

[@stephenferrante1836]

I am a proud member of a 1000 USMC prayer group . Like all the farmers and ranchers we enjoy on KZbin , you are in all our prayers.

[@704406bbl]

Sister, you are exactly the voice that needs to be heard for encouraging folks of all ages. May the Lord bless you and your endeavors with much sucess!

[@michaelwright8627]

5 years until I retire from the military and this is exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life! No land in my family, so I’ll likely pick a spot to retire and start looking for a local farmer who will lease their land to me until I am able to purchase my own. Q: Have you met many farmers who are willing to let people use some under-utilized pasture land for rotational grazing? What is the likelihood of finding a cooperative land owner in your experience?

[@oby-1607]

This was worth a subscription. Way to go in your endeavours. We have been established as a working ranch since 1864 and have water licenses that predate 1900 still running currently. There needs to be more go get em attitude like yours in this world.

[@LtColDaddy71]

I let a guy bring 18 steers, little guys, 300-500 lbs, and I didn’t charge a dime. I have a dairy that grazes their dry cows. I don’t charge them, but we have an amazing relationship. I IVR my replacement steers with the lower half of their dairy herd, and they buy feed products from me. It’s a concept called Beef on Dairy, and it’s amazing. So proud of how you are doing. Cattle are special. Their is a bond with them that you can’t have with sheep. Cattle love. Believe me, they follow me on their final walk with so much excitement and affection for me. It’s hard, but it’s the circle of life. Their life has the purpose of providing comfort and nourishment for many people. In the wild, they would be hunted, and experience terror in their final moments. They never get put on a truck at my place. They just go for a walk.

[@sarahbarker7216]

I love watching your journey! We raise our beef too & this year with the drought it’s been so hard! But the LORD has never left us!

[@maxr1401]

As a small acreage farmer myself running 8 head consider Australian lowline. Very short legs (average 39-48") very thick (700-1500lb) and roughly a ⅓ the feed requirements. They marble very easily, fill out quickly although slightly smaller in weight and dress out almost perfect for an average family's years supply. Very nice disposition and easily handled, very easy calving if you decide to raise your own. It's easy to up production without damaging feed lots or cost of feed supplements.

[@stormyacrefarms6816]

How hard are they to find and acquire?

[@maxr1401]

On the east coast and in Appalachian region they are gaining ground and are showing up more commonly. Ohio seems to run a lot through the auctions and KY seems to have a good herd population. I've seen them as far west as Illinois and Indiana but that haven't gained as much ground in open pasture regions yet. For all around economics and the good of the land I hope to see them expand. Growth rate matches their base bloodlines unlike other smaller breeds like Highlands (beautiful animals in their own right) that have generally slow growth. With the uncertainty in the futures of feed both hay and grain on future supply and cost the smaller breeds with less feed requirements is the only logical move for small farmers. Between the weather and governments abandoning farmers, farmers not only locally as a community but across states and even countries need the education of register to be as self reliant as possible.

[@stormyacrefarms6816]

@@maxr1401 I’m in Suffolk Virginia, I will do some searching to see if I can find some. Thank you

[@BrandonGallemore]

Dexter cattle are what we have. They are naturally short and stout. We've got all G5 Dexters out in East Texas. It was expensive to get started, but we probably have one of the best herds in our area of the state.

[@ferminakatony188]

Hello Brandon Im on the process of buying 200 acres in Texas would you mind helping me get started everyone need a hand to start or some investor

[@yousefmohammed2529]

Where can I find some dexters in east tx? looking to start my herd with self-sufficient youngsters (not wanting mother/calf combo)

[@grandmachickenscluckingoodsoap]

When I lived in the northeast we raised a few beefers. We always sent them off at the end of fall/beginning of winter (~18 months old) because it saved the cost of feeding them. The beef was absolutely delicious and I prefer it to older (2+ years old) beefers.

[@stevenjames7667]

Me to 18 months is plenty. I did the same thing when I was a younger man

[@josephfowler964]

I just wanted to say, I'm very impressed about how you seem to have a management background and are applying it very thoroughly to a trade that is traditionally approached as a soft science... By that I mean, if you asked the average farmer how much investment they have per head they wouldn't be able to give you a dollar ammount. If you asked them what the composition of their pasture was, they would most likely reply with "It's hay...." Not to slight them at all, they've earned respect through work ethic alone (and from all of the great experience that has led to) and I admire them greatly. It's just rare to see someone approach this as you have and who also is willing to document it precisely at the same time. Keep up the good work and God bless.

[@lisaraypold1952]

My husband shot a barley fed buffalo here in Alaska, I remember the meat looking just like your beef w the beautiful yellow marbling! Job well done! Now to order a book and start reading! Love this!!!

[@CharlesGann1]

Appreciate your courage and value of sharing your livestock journey.We need every person whocanI and will produce food to do it. I'm gettingthis 5 steers nextweek week and hoping i can get through the drought time. Flies in the face of logic but had to start some time! Bles you and your efforts. Glad to hear the sheep keep doing well.

[@3pRanchTx]

I see you use the same meat processor as I do, Rail 19. I use their Brashear plant. I run a small herd of baldies but will be selling off half of them prematurely due to the hay shortage. It’s been a tough year for Texas ranchers.

[@michaelmorgan6154]

Go you! I’ve been watching from I think the start of your journey, from Australia I have experience in livestock management. You have done a fantastic job with your operation, very impressive. Keep up the good work, I’ll look forward to more content from you. 👍🏻

[@MrGbarj]

Enjoyed the information. I'm envious of your grass, we in East TX haven't got the rain y'all have around Dallas. Keep up the good work & the videos. Thanks

[@sherrieblake8674]

I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us. My area of Texas gets less and less rain each year. It used to be about 27” and now maybe 12-15. We’ve sold a good portion of our herd. Anyway, keep up the good work. I love seeing your progress.

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you, Sherrie!

[@margaretwest2437]

Thank you for sharimg your experience. Many prayers for you and your family. Warmest.regards, Margaret

[@mondomarshall7287]

May God continue to bless you for all the help your providing to others. Great work!

[@endlessmilesforyah9216]

You are awesome!!! And what your doing is freaking awesome! Me and my wife have been following you since the beginning and it has been awesome to see your journey!! We now are also running sheep on our 8 acre property and hoping in the future we can get a steer.😁

[@danmay2934]

Just found this video and thank you for your time to produce it. You did a great job explaining the issues and a solution. I never thought of using land owned by someone else. I will be watching all your videos for more education.

[@timmmmmmmmmmy1]

I'll have to ECHO all the wonderful things said about this channel and the presenter. You be off the chain kicking it girl ! Thank you and God bless.

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

Your steers looked amazing, great job. Processing is very reasonable there. It's super expensive up here in the Northeast. I do my own on my mini farm. Best beef I've ever eaten. I only do bottle calfs just works for me.

[@MintRanch]

Good to hear that you are raising cattle. I raise Beefmaster (50% Brahman, 25% Shorthorn, and 25% Hereford) and they are massive cattle. They are very friendly and follow me around the farm. They are like massive puppy dogs.

[@berntoast3186]

How long to get to finished weight for your cattle?

[@MintRanch]

@@berntoast3186 the cows grow at 2 pounds a day on grass and at 2.5 pounds a day if you add feed, corn, and Bermuda hay. It hasn't rained in the Houston area for 30 days so the grass is growing very slowly with the morning dew. I have a creek that has held water for 20 years in a row. For the last 2 years it has run dry so we may be in another drought. Without water, there is no grass and so you have to feed the cattle hay, corn, and cubes.

[@MM-hm2wy]

Nicely done. Just found your channel and subbed. Already learned something. Thank you!

[@kurtlanford1448]

You are a great teacher ! Keep up the great work ! I am praying for you and your farm !

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you, Kurt! I’m grateful for your support.

[@Dr3D4y6]

You’re awesome! I found you a lil over a year ago and you inspired me to raise sheep and get started. Thank you!

[@theShepherdess]

I am so grateful to hear this, Andre! Thank you.

[@kellycrouch9576]

Much appreciated and prayers heading skywards for you. Wishing I had done this earlier in life. Very fruitful and necessary to keep the smaller grassroots and grass fed communities in operation. Thanks again

[@jamessantimarino2402]

I would have liked to have found your videos sooner. Always great content.

[@MrAhoelzel]

Nice work! We just purchased a half animal for the freezer. I have a bit of a love affair with land and animals and I'd love to do what you did, eventually. Thanks for the great videos. People make this too complicated and your format and delivery is really well done and takes the complex and makes it less complex. Sending all the good vibes to you, your land, your animals, and your family.

[@vikkicsaszar2123]

Very informative and well explained. I enjoyed learning from your video.

[@TexarkanaPrepper]

You videos are awesome. You are doing a great job. Please keep the videos coming. They are very awesome.

[@challengefarm]

Man you've been my inspiration since day one keep on the good woork thanks to you I've been able to quit my job and fully start cattle farming and sales business I've been dreaming off 😊

[@jej7117]

Great video and keep doing what you do

[@BrandonGallemore]

My favorite homestead videos to watch on KZbin. Keep up the good work! My wife and I watch all of your stuff.

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you!!

[@apostema]

So much attention to detail. Keep up the good work. God bless you.

[@brettpayton6286]

Your doing a great job. I enjoy watching, learning, an applying to our 30A. Thanks. Have a blessed day

[@theShepherdess]

Thanks as always, Brett!

[@Bc-ir3ms]

Epic! Nice work

[@asherfamilyacres1698]

My lovely wife and I are starting our attempt at mimicking Joel Salatin next spring… we are sooo stoked!

[@ivanmer5193]

Hi, thank you for sharing all the great info.

[@realtalk2036]

Really appreciate your work and time you put into these videos... thank you God just blessed me with a small Farm east of Texarkana... will be moved there within next 6 months... my early retirement dream to have a Farm

[@nameshavebeenchangedtoprot2127]

Thank you for what you do, the biggest problem for me starting something like what you have created is acquiring the land. But you are an inspiration to myself and to other folks younger than me that I can point to as an example of what can be done if you set your mind to it.

[@evanb2256]

As Joel Salatin would say in his many books you don’t need to own it to farm it.

[@9252LIFE]

Thanks for the video! Very much appreciated

[@wanderervii]

Our jersey cow is ready to freshen, bred to Angus again. Her first half Angus bull calf will be 34 months in November when we butcher him ourselves. We are in New Hampshire so we have to feed hay 6 months of the year. All his hay for his 2 weaned winters has been purchased, but this year we sold a home at a substantial profit and used the money to buy hay equipment so we could cut our neighbors' field. Meanwhile, the milk cow is also grass fed, and I look forward to four gallons a day of rich, creamy milk all summer; I cannot wait to start making yogurt, mozzarella, and butter again 🙂 she is almost free to feed and the payoff in nutritious food is massive. And never underemphasize the importance of manure! I don't even mind buying hay because I am bringing the fertility of someone else's field to my land (shh, don't tell the hay kings) I love what you do!

[@theShepherdess]

AMEN about the hay. I look at it like a load of fertilizer rather than feed! Loved hearing about your operation. Thank you for sharing!

[@iwanttotelltheworld1564]

You are an impressive young Lady, presenter and provider. Thank you for your gift of sharing. 🙏

[@missmommybridget]

Love your passion!

[@flashpan26]

Great video, I really enjoyed it because I was thinking about doing the same thing on some land we have.

[@lamarjohnson3992]

Best wishes for you and your farm

[@bluecollarredman]

Because of your channel I have one steer ready to go to the processer. Thank you.

[@theShepherdess]

I am so happy to hear this!

[@modocroughstock5700]

Always great information.. great show

[@stevenjames7667]

I live in Chandler Arizona and the temp here was 115° today. I raise chickens and its very hard for them to survive in this heat, thankfully it's only that hot about 4 months out of the year. But I really want to raise some steers here but irrigation is sparse do to the water shortage coming out of lake mead drying up. With Me using city water to water my chickens It would be next to impossible to grow any other animals without pasture to raise them, its dryer than I've ever seen it here. But I appreciate what you are doing Good job missy. I'm praying for you dear. I would surely raise some beef if I had the pasture setup you've got. But I'll find a way to gitter done, you pray for me to to okay?

[@iamsecond3625]

Well done!! We are scheduled to process a heifer that turned out to be a free Martin.

[@mysticmeadow9116]

Very informative. Thank you. Recently subscribed and if I had the time I'd binge watch your vids from the beginning LOL.

[@anthonyleake5002]

Wow, I felt like I in a information drought waiting for your latest program. Good job!!!

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you very much!!!!

[@danieljames8774]

Really love your videos

[@katieleonard6391]

You do great work, keep it up!!

[@woodyiswhere]

I would LOVE to buy some of your beef! I hope one day you will be open and able to sell to the public. I LOVE to support local (I'm in Austin)!

[@michaelsheufelt9209]

Thank you! You are truly inspirational! Please continue!

[@andredejager484]

Brilliant video .Thanks for sharing .

[@vanillabeanphotography8979]

SO inspiring 😱 wow!!! Loved this!!

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you Keilah!!!

[@geogeduggan6579]

God bless you young lady . Great information.

[@RuebensTravels]

Very encouraging. Thank you.

[@StoneyRidgeFarmer]

Great video young lady! Josh

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you, sir!

[@mattcampbell4135]

If your break even cost is $5.50/lb, how much can you sell for to become worth while (return on labor/input costs)? Also, there is more variation within breeds of cattle than between breeds. I would not be afraid to put some exotic (continental) bloodlines into your cattle, especially Maine Anjou. Very quiet cattle that have one of the best feed conversations (lbs of feed to produce 1 lb of gain), superior yield vs British cross cattle (Hereford/Angus) (63-64% vs 57-58%), and you can cut your steaks with a fork.

[@desmomotodesmomoto2033]

6:00 very important to get the marbling on grass fed beef. Super good tip.

[@charmainevandiford6622]

The Lord does have a plan for you. I enjoy watching you because you are passionate about what you are doing. A friend of mine that worked with me told me he was from Missouri and he said he would buy two steers and feed them out on a two acre pasture with some grain and some hay. He said he would trade one Steer for all the processing fees. I thought that was high and it was like 15 years ago. But I guess that wouldn’t be too bad of a deal. He said that a lot of People did it that way in Missouri.

[@joeyertman6314]

There is no shortage of cattle. There is however a shortage of people willing to butcher said cattle.

[@thomasreto2997]

So, for now we live in Pittsburgh. In the next couple years when our two young men finish college, we want to head out to Hawaii island where we own 4 acres of agricultural land in which we wish to do some type of natural farming, will test things and start small as we have limited resources and experience. Thank you for sharing your experiences. For now we have a large backyard urban garden and 5 layer hens beside it. Home to see you at HOA conference in Frontroyal VA come October 🌈😃🤙

[@genesismccormack7540]

Your beef looks so tasty! We are still waiting to close on our property...and get a fence up...or I'd be on top of this!!

[@ehollopeter]

I am about to buy my first 2 calves ever. I'm building fencing now. I'm really nervous to do this but am so excited.

[@josharnold33]

Great videos!

[@LTPottenger]

this made my day

[@stevemarshall961]

Thank you for your channel, for your encouragement to all of us, and for your faith in the Lord. Our prayers are with you.

[@mmattia]

SUGGESTION: You might consider adding a “Notify Me” button on your sold out items. It will help you build your client list and secure buyers early.

[@theShepherdess]

Great tip! Thank you.

[@dusty7264]

Great video 👍 in central Arizona it’s about ten acres/ per cow we also have some Beefmaster cows out here

[@marka6719]

We love your lessons you teach without teaching. Yes all depends on where at in the world you are, we butcher our own, and yes there is no more satisfying feeling than seeing a freezer full of beef and pork in the winter knowing that putting a little hand to plow the Lord will provide... you are in our prayers, and please don’t stop teaching.

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you, Mark. This comment means a lot!

[@andrewkruse8131]

Don't forget to comment on proper fencing. After spending time chasing cows we finally put up proper fencing. We prefer barbed wire to electric because of reliability. Cows blocking the bridge on our state highway and dropping patties in the neighbors yards is not recommended.......

[@kenman200]

Super cool! Inspirational!

[@bioblazepayne]

keep up the videos

[@ralphnader5716]

Great info

[@blounthomesteading5407]

That's amazing!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you for commenting!

[@oscarcaballero9014]

Love the number break down !!

[@equalizertime188]

Hey there lovely this is your old friend from New Mexico that has goats and sheep I found your Channel a while back and I follow you it's nice to hear from you nice to see you it's really really great video if you're ever out this way send me a holler

[@mpetrus100]

Congratulations!!!

[@Rocky1765]

Great Job!!

[@FourDRanch]

New subscriber here. I’m a 5th year beef cattle rancher. I used Rail 19 for to process my first steer this year. I didn’t keep detailed records like you, but I figured my beef was $5.00 per pound. Your videos are very informative, I’d like to learn more and possibly collaborate in the future. I assume you are in E.TX?

[@felipeford1836]

This city boy is very impressed! Keep up the great work!

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you, Felipe!

[@yukonjack8103]

May the Lord continue blessing you and your family. Great content!

[@paulsims6888]

2 Thumbs up to you and those who see grass as an asset. Most people complain about mowing it. No, this is food for our food. I love open eye concepts about reducing and security. But I have to say the cost do add up. With more experience and infraction you will shave the costs down. You are a doer, not a rider. Keep it going.

[@waltobringer2928]

Thank you yet again.

[@jeffhuntley2921]

I started with chickens and pigs. Next weekend I’ll be bringing home unregistered devons and the beginning of raising cows. I contemplated sheep with the property I have they may have been a better fit but financing has its limitations. Thanks for all the knowledge that you’ve shared!

[@theShepherdess]

Great choice, Jeff! I enjoyed hearing what you are doing.

[@jamess.2649]

Very precise thanks for info

[@gregsmith3623]

I've got them Big cattle, one of my simmental steers after it is was butchered had eleven hundred pounds of meat, you are probably better off with smaller cattle otherwise you need a couple Big freezer's.

[@jesselehto6573]

The greatest show on KZbin.

[@TheTruthseeker707]

Very nice. God bless you and your family greatly.

[@southtexashay777]

Great video.

[@TroyJamesMonger]

Awesome! Thanks for the information. God Bless :]

[@brandondickerson2785]

Great video 👍🏾

[@theShepherdess]

Thank you, Brandon!