Gator,
I echo Rockytopper's comments above. Do not underestimate the value of #4.
Cows, especially those that are cross breeds with some Brahma in the bloodline require very little care during the growing season. Some folks in my area that are weekenders buy commercial cows in the spring, run them on pastures during the growing season and then sell everything in the fall. This approach works pretty well assuming you buy the spring stock "right"...i.e. healthy stock and not overpriced.
Myself, I have year around cattle operation which requires feeding once a week in the winter months (sometimes can get by with every 2 weeks). I use the large round bales of hay which is grown and baled on my place and simply set out enough until the next visit(trip expenses are tax deductible). With the right equipment (all tax deductible) one person can handle the feeding for 30 cows for a week in about two hours. I've done it for many years.
I've never had any rustling, never lost a cow to predators, but have had a cow with occasional health problems(any meds and/or vet bills are tax deductible)...on Meadowlark ranch only the strong survive. My vet bills are virtually non-existant. I have my calves for sale transported by someone else (at a tax deductible fee) which frees me up from having to own a big trailor and spend all that time hauling cattle...I'd rather be fishing.
In short, the only problem I have with them (cows) is that the fencing needs to be maintained in good shape(all guess what...tax deductible). Ocassionally you can run across a cow that figures out that a fence can be easily compromised by a 1000 pound plus animal...that cow goes out on the next run to the sale barn at my place.
As I said, I've done this for many years and although sometimes in the winter months it can be a pain, the gains over a multiyear period are not insignificant.
