Anyone raise Yak for Chow

[Brown Thumb]

They cost around 1000 to 1500 for calves. Depends on the type.
The people in nj are sold out.
But the people in pa are up by the NY border have 3 bulls and 9 cows.
It not the price of the yak. It is the price of the fencing. I would like to do 2 to 3 acres in case I would get some more.

 

[rustycase]

These can be found pretty cheap... even some give-aways...



Easiest meat at home is chickens, rabbits, and pigs. Everything requires fencing.
I've had goats, too, and they are the worst escape artists and most destructive critters I can think of, for what you get in the end.
Can't get excited about sheep again, either.
Good luck
rc

 

[Smokin Harley]

My dad has been up my butt to raise some steer for slaughter. This store bought meat sucks. He is willing to help with expenses.
I don't want to deal with cows, My wife's father used to raise them and now his son does.
I don't want to buy off him due to he treats them like crap. Under feed, dirty water and knee deep in shit. Dead calfs all the time. He can take them to market before I buy one.
There not cheap in the start but having like 4 to 5 might be worth the try.
Any Input?

Right now the meat to be raising is Buffalo/Bison. Besides repopulating the herd ,Its just good stuff. and it goes for about $8 /lb. Might want to check into it.

 

[Smokin Harley]

Would love to do rabbits.

My daughter raised (show)rabbits for a while , one of the few fastest breeding animals with good clean mild meat. You just have to get over the "cute" issue. The day after they give birth you can mate them again. Once a month . Pretty cheap to feed. Manure is very useable

 

[Markw]

There is a couple of farmers doing them over here, they are crossing them with a Dexter. But it sounds interesting and the meat is said to taste very good, I am a rabbit man myself, and I still think that is the best way at providing meat for your loved ones.

 

[BigBonner]

As for healthy meat deer can not be beat , But you have to have a taste for it .Preparing is the key .

Calves will be more tender if they had plenty of milk from their mother when they were young . I killed one , one time at 900 + LBS and straight of his mother , plus grass and creep feeder fed , free range.
That was the best beef I ever had killed . It was tender as I had ever had , veal meat .

Angus Beef associations claims marbling in rib eyes is a sign of tenderness and flavor , but I believe it just more fat put on a calf quickly by high powered feed .
If the meat is dark red and no marbling it will be tough eating . But any animal like old bulls , old pound cows and un cut steers are made mostly into hamburger .

With cattle prices today it will cost you to buy a 200 pound calf and raise it . 200 Lb calf could easily bring $600 , some breeds may be less and quality of the calf will effect the price .
A good 700 LB steer top quality is around $2 a pound according to quality of the calf .
A good Heifer calf 700 lb Around $1.90
A 1200 pound cow will cost about $0.95 a pound
A 2000 pound bull , around $1.10 a pound
These prices are according to quality .

A beef raised up to lets say 1000 pounds may net ( 60% ) 600 pounds of meat and in that they may be 165 pounds of fat and bone .

Also remember that any meat has a freezer life . Beef is around one year , hog is ( I believe ) 6 months , unless salt cured .

Lamb is a good option also .