How to Raise Grass Fed Beef

Raising grass fed beef has become a trend, alongside the use of other organic foods and products. To raise grass fed beef on your farm it is best to start with types of cattle that will thrive and produce high-graded beef when raised on grass-based diets. The type of cattle you choose will depend on your location as well. For Wisconsin, the Belted Galloway cattle breed was suited for grass feeding and surviving the cold temperatures of the landscape. Other breeds of cattle that produce quality beef from grass feeding include Devon, Scottish Highlands and Dexter.

Things You'll Need

  • Large pasture fields
  • Cattle fencing
  • Cattle water trough
  • Cattle hay ring
  • Round bales of hay
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Instructions

    • 1

      Section off your pasture field into at least two sections with cattle-grade fencing such as standard fencing, barbed wire or electric fence. Make the sections large enough for the herd size you are raising, or choose a herd size you can sustain on the acreage of pasture field you have available. Because cattle are grazing animals you will need more grass than cattle, so 2 acres per head of cattle is ideal though should be adjusted for drier climates.

    • 2

      Keep cattle herds in one section at a time and move them back and forth into new sections periodically; this process allows the cattle to constantly feed on fresh grass. While the cattle are fenced into one area, the grass in another area has a chance to grow back, fresh and green, and parasites left behind in manure will die off.

    • 3

      Have a water trough available for cattle to drink. This is important in times of drought but is also convenient year-round. Check the water trough daily to refill as needed. Empty and rinse out the trough at least once a month to eliminate the growth of harmful bacteria or breeding of bacteria-carrying insects.

    • 4

      Bale your own or purchase bales of hay, preferably in round bales to feed to cattle during the winter months when the grass is dormant. Sit the round bales into the hay rings. The holes in the hay ring allow the cattle to stick their heads in and feed on the hay, while the hay is kept together and not strewn across the pasture field and trampled instead of eaten.