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Driftless SW Wisconsin | Great post, Jerry! To the OP, sounds like the place to start is with good permanent perimeter fences, with at least one smooth wire hot (for interior single wire dividers), on owned land. Then water source and a handling facility/corral of some sort. Given you want a grass based operation, not confinement, fences, water and handling facility are necessary for any type of cattle operation. Then start with a few experienced cows, 5 or 10 at most, and start slowly with a business plan. Cattle are a business (unless you consider this a hobby), start with a BUSINESS PLAN: What are you going to sell, how many, to whom, for what price, and what is your cost of goods sold. This will not happen all at once but give you a plan to guide your decisions as you proceed. The business plan can always change as you go and learn. Start with a plan then execute it rather than just buying cattle. Start at the output rather than input end of the business plan. Contrary to other opinions here, I'd start with cow/calf. Buying a few very good 3fers (a confirmed bred cow with a heifer calf at side) from a known local source is the best way to start, imho and experience. Spring calving 3 fers are usually available in later summer. Emphasize quality over quantity in your foundation cows. Buy from someone who raises PASTURE (not show) animals the same way you plan on raising them. Hopefully this person can also mentor you as you go along. Best of luck to you.
Edited by Jim 1/13/2019 13:20
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