[wallyward]

Hi
 
First of all we are sheep people but we are thinking of getting a couple of bullocks to run on for beef. we are short of knowledge though i grew up on a mixed beef & sheep farm it was many years ago.
 
we have plenty of grass, some housing we could use if required and plenty of hay. we have some equipment but its mainly sheep focused so we understand we might need to get some stuff organised.
 
we are thinking of Dextar due to the size but would be interested in anything of similar size that would make for a good beef animal.
 
the long term plan would be to see how this goes and if all works out ok would then look at getting a couple of cows with calves at foot - but thats the future.
 
what we want to find is a breeder in East Anglia (we are based in Suffolk) with a suitable breed that might have a couple of bullocks for sale in the new year and then hopefully in the future could help us with our first cows as well.
 
we are thinking we should be buyiny the bullocks at about 9 months old and then taking them on untill about 20 months, is that right?
 
any help or advise really appreciated and would welcome info on anybody in teh East Anglian area that would be worth contacting.
 
many thanks for reading

[Factotum]

Hi

We keep Shetlands - small breed, very tasty beef.

In your area, the Essex Wildlife Trust has a large herd at Tollesbury Wick - it may be worth chatting with them.

See:
http://www.essexwt.org.uk/

Good luck

Sue

[kja]

we keep a couple of dexter steers for the freezer bring them in around 9 - 10 months old from a guy that breeds and show them, we take them through to 24 months you dont gent much tastier beef we could eat the limmis,angus or simmis that my parents rear but the taste is not as good imho.

we are in cambridgeshire

[wallyward]

Hi
 
many thanks for the replies.
 
will look into the link referance the shetlands.
 
KJA - is the breeder you use based in East Anglia? would you mind sharing the contact details if possible?
 
many thanks for all the help so far.
 
regards

[kja]

i will pm his details

[Big Benny Shep]

i asked a similar question a while back with some really helpful information posted up, have a read 


the thread is called "sheep farmer thinking of gettin some cows, advice?"