Contacted a family in Poplarville, MS today who have Belted Galloway steers for sale. I am considering purchasing between one and perhaps as many as four in an attempt to trial raising Salatin-style beeves.
The Belted Galloway has intrigued me for the same reasons as Berkshire pigs: taste. Supposedly in head-to-head taste tests, the Belted Galloway beats out every other breed of cattle tested against. Youngblood keeps Herefords and while they are quite tasty, I have long been of the opinion that when it comes to taste, it can always be better. The greatest compliment one can pay me after a meal is to care enough to offer constructive criticism.
Once I fried fish for my parents. After the meal, Momma told me, "You should have had your grease hotter when you put your fish in. It'll make them crispier and that's how I like mine."
The wife was like, "HOW DARE SHE!"
I was like, "Thanks Mom. Now I know how to make fried fish even better!"
I have always loved Youngblood's beef but when I mentioned I might want to try a different breed, he bristled (even though he has done the same thing before with disastrous results).
The reason I would like to get perhaps as many as four is to test the waters to help determine what type of demand there will be in the local market for a truly premium product and to see if I can muddle through this process, make a decent profit and do so without overcommitting resources.
The steers will likely cost around $800 each. Would asking for that amount as a deposit be too aggressive?
Does anyone here know or have an opinion on how much should one charge per pound of live weight for a finished beef?